By; AHMED AMSHI, Damaturu
Former Yobe State Speaker, Usman Barau Sugum has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prioritize addressing insecurity, emphasizing its negative impact on the nation’s socioeconomic fortunes.
In an interview with our correspondent in Damaturu, Sugum stressed that proper management and allocation of the 2025 budget towards security concerns would normalize farming and rearing activities, particularly in Northern Nigeria.
“Farming and security are intricately linked. Once security challenges are resolved, the hardship faced by Nigerians will alleviate, preventing a worsening situation,” Sugum explained.
He noted that large-scale farmers in the North have abandoned farming due to insecurity, affecting not only farmers, but also labourers who fear for their safety.
Sugum emphasized the need for the federal government to provide subsidized farming implements to encourage farmers to return to their farms.
He cited Yobe State’s recent distribution of farming implements and input to farming communities as a positive example.
Sugum stressed that prioritizing agriculture would lead to a high supply of food, drastically reducing food prices and improving the nation’s agricultural potentials.
Regarding the petroleum price, Barau Sugum advocated for the federal government to allow independent markets to produce high-quality petroleum products, enabling the market to dictate prices.
This approach, he noted, has mitigated the usual year-end scarcity, as witnessed in previous years.
On the tax bill, Sugum emphasized that Nigerians are familiar with taxation, citing the local taxation system known as “Jangali” in Hausa.
He cautioned against rushed implementation of the new tax bill.
“Nigerians need sufficient time to study the new tax bill, as there’s nothing novel about it. Adequate time is necessary to ensure the bill benefits everyone,” he explained.
The former Speaker urged his colleagues in both national and state assemblies to prioritize the interests of their constituents above their personal interests.
He reminded them that their positions were a result of the mandates given by the people, emphasizing the importance of community involvement, he encouraged elected officials to educate their constituents about government programmes and projects, including the contentious tax bill, highlighting the benefits that can be derived from such initiatives.
“Politicians must be able to sensitize their people to government projects and programs,” he said, citing the tax bill as a prime example where public education is necessary to showcase its benefits.
