The farrmers say they can no longer tend to crops and livestock out of fear of being attacked. The violence drove away farmers, leaving fields barren and causing ripple effects throughout the country, including driving up food inflation.
Related story: Nigeria deploys armed rangers to protect farmers
A newly released Nigerian epic movie, Lisabi has topped the Netflix chart in Nigeria and entered the top 10 charts in Kenya and Mauritius. Lisabi is a legendary story of local rebellion against an oppressive empire and its agents derived from a Yoruba historical account.
Released on Friday, September 27, Lisabi is produced by Niyi Akinmolayan and features an exciting list of actors. These include Boma Akpore, Adebowale Adedayo, Gabriel Afolayan, Ibrahim Chatta and Lateef Adedimeji.
Set in the 18th-century Oyo Empire, the movie attempts to tell to retell the story of the Oyo Empire, but from an angle not expected and not unfamiliar. It tells the story of Lisabi Agbongbo-Akala and the Egba people’s fight against the mighty Oyo Empire in the 18th century to highlight how bravery and unity can guarantee independence.
The Oyo Empire, one of the most powerful West African states at the time, exerted significant control over many neighbouring peoples, including the Egba. This control was marked by heavy tribute demands and forced labour.
Songodeyi, the ruthless head of the tribute collectors, alongside his brutal subordinates, terrorizes the Egba people, despite their compliance with the tribute demands. Their cruelty has no bounds—they take more than what is owed, rape young women, and kill anyone who dares to resist their tyranny. As their oppression worsens day by day, life becomes unbearable for the farmers and villagers of Egba land.
Lisabi Agbongbo-Akala was a resourceful Egba farmer who organised a rebellion against the oppressive Oyo rulers. With his strategic brilliance and leadership, Lisabi forms the Aaro society, a communal work group that secretly becomes the backbone of the uprising.
He also turned out to be a skilled military strategist and farmer who united several Yoruba groups to launch an attack against the Oyo Empire between 1775 and 1780.
According to the movie, Lisabi (Lateef Adedimeji) used the combined strength of his fellow farmers and the support of different deities to equip his folks to fight an evidently superior force and win their freedom.
Before gaining their independence, communities such as Ijaiye, Gbagura, and Igbeyin were all under the control of the Oyo Empire. Lisabi’s rebellion marks a turning point in Egba’s history, as he leads his people to victory and freedom from the Oyo Empire’s domination, cementing his legacy as a hero and liberator.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced an employment scheme, known as Renewed Hope Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme, LEEP, to create 2.5 million jobs for Nigerians directly and indirectly.
Tinubu made this known during his 64th Independence Day speech on Tuesday.
According to him, the initiative, which will commence in November 2024, aims to ensure the welfare and safety of workers across the country.
“In addition, later this month, we shall launch The Renewed Hope Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP).
“It is conceived as a comprehensive suite of interventions at job creation by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment that is aimed at facilitating the creation of 2.5 million jobs, directly and indirectly, on an annual incremental basis whilst simultaneously ensuring the welfare and safety of workers across the country”, he said.
The president had also announced the national 30-day Youths Conference to address economic hardship.
According to him, the confab will ensure that the voices of youths are heard and recommendations implemented by his administration.
He said better days are ahead for Nigeria, urging Nigerians not to lose hope in the country.
By Ogaga Ariemu, Daily Post
Nigeria is set to approve Exxon Mobil Corp.’s sale of its oil and gas assets to domestic energy supplier Seplat Energy Plc, President Bola Tinubu said.
The “divestment will receive ministerial approval in a matter of days,” Tinubu said in a speech on Tuesday marking Independence Day in the West African nation. The move will “increase oil and gas production, positively impacting our economy,” he said.
Africa’s largest oil producer has consistently failed to meet its OPEC target because of years of underinvestment in its oil industry, a key driver of economic growth and government revenue. The country produced 1.48 million barrels of crude per day in August, compared with an OPEC quota of 1.5 million barrels, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
Last week, Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima said that Exxon is considering investing as much as $10 billion in the country’s offshore oil industry in coming years. Seplat has previously said that acquiring Exxon’s assets would almost quadruple the company’s oil output to more than 130,000 barrels per day.
Approving the sale of assets to Seplat will end a more than two-year hiatus that stalled the conclusion of the $1.3 billion transaction. Nigeria’s state oil company in June withdrew a legal challenge blocking that had blocked the transaction.
“Our administration is committed to free enterprise, free entry, and free exit in investments, while maintaining the sanctity and efficacy of our regulatory processes,” Tinubu said.
The president said that economic reforms implemented by the government since he took office in May 2023 have attracted more than $30 billion in foreign direct investment to the country. While the policy overhaul has been welcome by foreign investors, it’s spawned a cost-of-living crisis in Africa’s most-populous nation that triggered deadly protests.
Other Highlights From Tinubu’s Speech:
. Since June 2023, the more disciplined approach adopted by the central bank to monetary policy management has ensured stability and predictability in the foreign exchange market.
. Over the past 16 months, Nigeria’s debt-service ratio has been reduced to 68% from 97%, and foreign reserves have grown to $37 billion from $33 billion.
. Progress has been made in eliminating banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and the scourge of all forms of violent extremism in northern Nigeria.
Once passed into law, the Economic Stabilisation Bills approved by the Federal Executive Council will improve Nigeria’s business environment, stimulate investment and reduce the tax burden.
By Ruth Olurounbi, Bloomberg
