The Ogogoro ban in Benue

Friday, December 11, 2009

The consequences of alcoholism are as old as the habit itself. They take on more disastrous dimensions when a larger portion of a society is obsessed with it. The move by the Benue State Government to tackle the scourge, therefore, could be seen as timely and redemptive.

http://odili.net/news/source/2009/dec/11/223.html

The root cause of this wholesale addiction is traceable to the activities of politicians who recruit otherwise able-bodied youths to fortify their political arsenal. So, rather than engaging in productive ventures like farming, many young people are lured into politics, mainly as thugs and hangers-on. That gives them more money compared with genuine, legitimate labour.

The composition of the liquor in contention - ogogoro - makes the situation all the more troubling. It contains over 60 percent alcohol with ethanol. [/b]That makes it extremely risky for human consumption. Infact, when it comes in contact with fire, it ignites -a clear indication that it is absolutely unfit for ingestion.

But now, in numerous huts across Tivland in Benue State and beyond, this dangerous beverage is served regularly to men and women, many of whom were proud farmers.

The effects of this reversal are sad indeed. Agriculture which is the mainstay of the state's economy has come under direct threat. So also is Benue's status as Nigeria's undisputed, foremost food basket.

[b]Even the local Tiv names given to the drink that is known nationally as ogogoro or akpeteshi conjure images of a predatory substance. 'Jem usuh' means life charcoal, 'norgema-tyo' stands for elephant that turns its buttocks, while 'gyoor begha' suggests knocks from a lion.

A beer that has taken on a rampaging and dehumanizing character, no doubt, deserves to be checkmated before it wrecks the final havoc on a people known for industriousness.

Interestingly, the fight against this tragedy has commenced from within -an evidence of the capacity of Benue people to take their own destiny seriously.

The State House of Assembly has just passed into law a bill sponsored by the government of Governor Gabriel Suswan banning the sale, transportation and consumption of the alcohol -after an extensive tour of the state to feel the people's pulse on the matter.

Equally remarkable is the involvement of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in the campaign to remove ogogoro from the minds and mouths of Benue people.

The other day, its Director General, Dr Paul Orhii, also a Benue State indigene, commenced a mobilization effort in conjunction with traditional rulers and well meaning individuals who are deeply worried about the ogororo -induced social and economic crises.

Happily, Governor Suswan appears to have a good grasp of this dilemma. According to him, “They call ogogoro 'push me, I push you', yet people take it to destroy their lives.

With the Law that banned ogogoro, which received the support of the entire state, we shall work hard to save our youths suffering from the addiction to this deadly substance.

I call on all residents of the state to cooperate with law enforcement agents to ensure that those who sell and those who drink ogogoro are brought under the law”.

Forthright as this move seems, we are concerned about the other class of alcohol-consuming public in the state. If there is a legislation against the consumption of ogogoro, what happens to those who consume other liquour like beer, brandy, whisky, spirit or other expensive alcoholic drinks?

Much as we believe alcohol consumption, especially in excess, is bad, we hope this attempt in Benue is not directed at the poor and hapless class in the state. What is good for the goose is also good for the gander.

But stamping out this foible will require concrete steps beyond legislation and prosecution. The government should be prepared to identify and confront the sociological factors that have engendered it.

They must also earnestly begin a process of winning the hearts of the youths through a consistent awareness programme. And then, constructive, profitable alternative avenues like sports and mechanized farming should be created.

That will help in rechannelling youthful energies, saving individual and collective destinies and restoring the fading glory of Benue as a leading agricultural state in the country.

No more shayo for Benue.

Ban ban ban ban bannity!!!! The All-Nigerian solution to most every problem we are UNWILLING to deal with. Problem is the Solution NEVER SEEMS to change the situation, EVER!

Ogogoro!!

Kobojunkie:

Ban ban ban ban bannity!!!! The All-Nigerian solution to most every problem we are UNWILLING to deal with. Problem is the Solution NEVER SEEMS to change the situation, EVER!

Exactly; although I support this alcohol ban.

Why should they ban "ogogoro" when there's no money for "STAR".
Another law designed to tame the poverty stricken populace.

puskin:

Why should they ban "ogogoro" when there's no money for "STAR".
Another law designed to tame the poverty stricken populace.

State officials took oaths to protect and look for the poor too.

The Benue state govt should compensate the Kai-kai sellers with jobs at their state house.

What is going to be the effect on cross border and transit of this banned item?
Don't get me wrong, I want alcohol banned anywhere but we must live with
it and make sure that our laws adequately recognise potential areas of conflict.

As an aside, na police wey dey take this drink like mad go control am?
Abi army for mammy market? Abi for motor park?

Hmmmnnnn

Funny issue

The State House of Assembly has just passed into law a bill sponsored by the government of Governor Gabriel Suswan banning the sale, transportation and consumption of the alcohol -after an extensive tour of the state to feel the people's pulse on the matter.

Equally remarkable is the involvement of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in the campaign to remove ogogoro from the minds and mouths of Benue people.

This is VERY SAD indeed.

It shows we are not READY to develop and grow our lives out of poverty!

People that have no sense of history, we have no clear defined future.

The evil colonial Britain tried to ban Ogogoro and instead sell us their Schnaps, Dry-Gin etc

It took Dr Tai Solarin to fight then to stand still since this will result to job loss, dependency of foreign consumption etc

The solution is not BAN ogogoro but actively ensure alcohol content is reduced, ensure those places are licensed, ensure drivers are regularly tested for alcohol etc.

^of course, there is always the option of doing things the right way. But this is Nigeria and callous unpatriotic politicians are the ones making the laws.
Topic,
I don't think this ban would stop the consumption of ogogoro. It is likely to only lead to sellers selling the drink in secret.

I laugh in New York!!!
the governor has gotten tired of drinking Ogogoro.

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-363255.0.htm.
The Gov is more worried about Ogogoro, When he has about 400,000 people living with HIV in his State. 
[b]Gov’s aide
National News Nov 28, 2009 By Peter DURU, UMakurdi
The Special Adviser to the Benue State Governor on HIV/AIDS and other Communicable diseases Mrs. Maria Idu has disclosed that no fewer than 400,000 persons have been identified as carriers of the dreaded HIV/AIDS virus in the state.
Speaking at a Media briefing to mark this year’s World AIDS Day in Makurdi, the Adviser noted that the spread of the disease in the state must be checked in order to stem its ravaging effects on the productive sectors of the state’s economy.

Idu who stressed that the state government has not failed on its part to ensure that hospitals are stocked with Anti Retroviral drugs urged the people to undertake mandatory test and counseling in order to know their status.

She lamented that the most avoidable factor driving the HIV epidemic in Benue State is stigma and discrimination among people living with the virus.

The Adviser moreover disclosed that the state government has so far established 22 treatment sites across the state in order to avail carriers of the various free medication and counseling.

She further posited that government has taken the challenge posed by the virus especially amongst mothers and their new born babies by establishing 52 mother- to- child prevention and treatment centers in parts of the state.

Mrs. Idu asserted that more of the centers would be established next year to cater for infected mothers and babies across the state.

According to her, the state government has provided a leeway for a collaboration between the National Poverty Eradication Prograame NAPEP and the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS NPLWH in order to provide assistance to the network and ensure a better life for the infected.

In his remarks at the occasion, the Benue State NUJ Chairman Mr. Terlunmun Nyifan urged journalists in the state to team up with government in the renewed fight to stem the spread of the disease in Benue State.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/11/28/400000-people-have-hivaids-in-benue-gov%e2%80%99s-aide/[/b]

What was that essay for?

Another measure to increase unemployment.

back2back:

This is VERY SAD indeed.

It shows we are not READY to develop and grow our lives out of poverty!

People that have no sense of history, we have no clear defined future.

The evil colonial Britain tried to ban Ogogoro and instead sell us their Schnaps, Dry-Gin etc

It took Dr Tai Solarin to fight then to stand still since this will result to job loss, dependency of foreign consumption etc

The solution is not BAN ogogoro but actively ensure alcohol content is reduced, ensure those places are licensed, ensure drivers are regularly tested for alcohol etc.

what record do u have of this happening or are you just going on your anti-western tirades again?

SapeleGuy:

Another measure to increase unemployment.

Which employment did it create before the ban

chrisical:

Which employment did it create before the ban

Nah person dey make am and sell am - so you see say dem don spoil market.

bawomolo:

what record do u have of this happening or are you just going on your anti-western tirades again?

They banned it along with the indigenous manufacture of most things, that was how companies like UAC and John Holt were able to prosper.

*jona:

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-363255.0.htm.
The Gov is more worried about Ogogoro, When he has about 400,000 people living with HIV in his State. 

How did they get the number and how did you know he is not doing something about it?. Tell us the number of HIV patients in your own state and what your governor is doing about it or don't you have people living with HIV in your state?

@Sapele guy
Rather than say it will cause unemployment,i think it will reduce stupid behaviours on the streets. Ogogoro is a cause of some dastardly acts

^^^ In the interest of fairness - then ban all sales of all alcohol. when you examine that policy you begin to see that the ban on ogogoro is discriminatory.

what would those fake muslim will be drinking?

Wow only in Nigeria will you see such, imagine banning the cheapest form of alcohol whilst the more exotic ones are untouchbale

why should dey ban ogogoro without banning oda forms of alcohol?

do they want all the poor pple taking ogogoro to start stealing in order to get money to buy costly alcoholic drinks

bigfoot79:

Wow only in Nigeria will you see such, imagine banning the cheapest form of alcohol whilst the more exotic ones are untouchbale

the exotic ones are likely imported and duty taxes are charged, who dey pay tax for ogogoro

only in Nigeria we have mass oppression of the poor masses

This country is boring and useless

Good ridance,my peeps too like brew

Crude Oil:

This country is boring and useless

Seconded. *hiss*

banning alcohol isnt going to help the problem.  the us passed a constititional amendment banning alcohol from 1919 to 1933 and it made the problem worse not better and was abandon.  canada, russia, iceland, norway, hungry and finland have all atempted this and abandoned it as  well.  there is a similar type of alcohol found in the us called moonshine/white lightning but unlike here we have been educated to its dangers.  education is the key to this problem.  how many people here know how long alcohol takes to metabolize?  how big a single serving is of each specific type of alcoholic beverage?  what alcohol does to the body?  how many even know what the signs of alcoholism are?  

signs of alcoholism:  (not all but any ONE)
-getting drunk every time they drink
-drink more then 4 days a week
-drink in order to relax
-need for increasing amounts to feel its effects (tolerance)
-can never drink just one drink
-you lie about how much you drink or feel you have to hide it from some people
-been late to work or social events because of it
-you feel guilty or ashamed of your drinking
-ever "blacked out" or passed out

Aloy~Emeka:

It contains over 60 percent alcohol with ethanol. when it comes in contact with fire, it ignites -a clear indication that it is absolutely unfit for ingestion.

all alcohol is flamable regardless of the alcohol levels, all alcohol contains ethenol (eythl) and some of your imported vodkas contain 55% alcohol by volume

Mr Govy can ban "Ogogoro,
but he must not ban "JEDIJEDI"
JEDIJEDI IS OUR LIFE AGAINST ALL ODDS
YOU KNOW WOMAN STUFF,THEN NO THEY LIKE MAN WEY DEY DO ONE OOO
PLS LEAVE JEDIJEDI ALONE FOR US OO
HERBS WITH OGOGORO THEY WORK

Banning Ogogoro is not the solution,instead it will make the business more lucrative (like any other contra ban drug).
Like someone said earlier ,they could enforce the alcoholic content be reduced. funny enough ,the police will even take advantage of the ignorant masses,anyone found drinking white gin,r whisky,might be arrested for taking ogogoro.
Abeg make them find better things that will enhance the 'betterment' of the people of benue.