Nigeria And Her Unending Security Challenges

NIGERIA AND HER UNENDING SECURITY CHALLENGES


Brethren, I wish to commence with a short inspirational note. Please, take time to think, it’s the source of power; take time to play, it’s the secret of perpetual youth; take time to laugh, it’s the music of the soul; and finally, take time to pray, it’s the greatest power on earth.

Once again my beloved, I sincerely urge you to cheat on your fears, break up with your doubts, get engaged with your faith, and as well get married to your dreams. Please stick to these advices, and you shall testify that the Lord is good.

We are all aware that every society in existence has its own challenges, not unlike our respective families. Yes, in as much as any family remains a society, it is also bound to face its own challenges which may range from one area of life to another.

Most importantly, it is worthy to note that each of the individuals on earth is also being faced with series of challenges which might differ based on individual differences. Of course, we’re all aware of this scenario.

In fact, to be frank and thorough, I want to state categorically that challenges are not only common among human beings or living creatures generally. Believe me, even the non-living things have their respective challenges which is solely attributed to the nature of the society they found themselves, or they were taken to.

At this juncture, let’s get something clear. Nigeria for sure is a society likewise any other country in the world. Therefore, she’s bound to be faced with one or two challenges as she strive towards greatness. I’ve written in the past that, challenges are simply inevitable, just as ‘change’ is.

It is no longer news that Nigeria has been facing too many challenges since she was liberated by her colonial master or ever since she got her independence. Such scenario is normal and natural. So far since the aforementioned period of liberation, challenges have been ranging from corruption, injustice, nepotism, power supply, illiteracy, lack of industrialization, to security.

Presently, it is worthy to note or to take into cognizance that, security challenges have abruptly superseded any other challenges the country is currently facing, even the ‘almighty’ corruption that had earlier been the order of the day.

Security, according to the context of this edition, could be defined as the safety of lives and property of a certain group of people in any given society. In other words, the term "security” signifies safety. Let’s ride on!

The current security challenges in the Nigerian society has been lingering in such a manner that anyone might rightly assume that the country does not have any government in power. And, it won’t be an overstatement if such presumption suddenly turns into an open exclamation due to agony.

Nigeria’s recent security challenges if well traced, originated during the Niger-Delta militancy era. That is; when the aggrieved members of the oil producing states in Nigeria took a very bold cum expensive step and decided to go into violence for their voice to be heard by the Nigerian government. Really, it was as if it won’t end, but surely on the contrary it all came to an end, as a result of the Amnesty that was declared by the late President of the country in the person of Alhaji Umaru musa Yar’adua.

We shall all live to remember the deceased President because of the drastic action he took in order to completely silence the previous security challenges the country was faced with. So, some challenges require a drastic measure.

In the same vein, presently for over three years now, or would I say since Dr. Goodluck Jonathan assumed office as the President of the country, the country has been profoundly faced with another era of untold terrorism coming from the so called Boko Haram sect. this very one has gone beyond human imagination due to its intense deadly nature; it has, no doubt, resulted to hundreds of massacre and all sorts of brutal killings, coupled with the recent abduction of the Chibok School girls.

The truth is that challenges are necessary because it help to channel the affected individual or society to the right direction. Needless to say that, they enable us to be conscious of virtually every step we take in life. And such scenario is worthwhile.

On the other hand, we all pray never to encounter any deadly challenges in life. But Nigeria as a nation has been encountering a quite number of them. Does it signifies that, she doesn’t pray? I’m aware this question would attract series of responses. But if I were to answer the question, I would say that the Nigeria’s ongoing security plight is an action of her attitude. Yes our predicament is solely a product of our collective attitude. Suffice to say; the Nigeria’s ongoing problem lies in her palm.

Thus, I urge us to search our consciences in order to overcome these daily fathomless threats, because if the truth must be told, the ongoing recruitment of thousands of infantry or combatants is not the remedy to our plight. The only remedy is extreme sincerity and calling a spade a spade.

Lest I forget, the banner headline of one of the dailies penultimate week, Wednesday May 28, 2014 precisely, reportedly reads “…Obasanjo to meet the Boko Haram leaders’ relatives.” A statement that came up in subsequent to the recent Yobe bomb blast. This simply means that they already know the backgrounds of the terrorists in question. Isn’t it funny?

Well, I still strongly believe that Nigeria will bounce back again. Eventually all things fall into place; until then, we are expected to laugh at the confusion, live for the moments, and always note that everything happens for a reason.

Though, we must endeavour to take time to think because it remains the source of all powers. And for this to work, we must surely be prepared to cheat on our fears. Nevertheless, don’t forget that prayer remains the greatest power on earth. Think about it!



FRED NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com