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Presently, it is worthy to note or to take into cognizance that, security challenges have abruptly superseded any other challenges the country is currently facing, even the ‘almighty’ corruption that had earlier been the order of the day.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
Monday, 2 June 2014
The 'Bring Back Our Girls' Conundrum
THE ‘BRING BACK OUR GIRLS’ CONUNDRUM
Brethren, I could remember vividly when we were kids, we used to heartily cite most children poems both under the sun and rain. Today, I keep on imagining how it would look to people around me if I eventually repeat or come-up with those things we did very well during our childhood stage.
Nevertheless, some present occasions we encounter warrant the repetition of those things we did or said when we were mere toddlers or teenagers as the case might be.
Frankly, barely three nights ago, precisely Friday May 23 – 2014, I had a nightmare; and it was all about ‘The giant of Africa’. In the dream, someone was forcedly dragging me towards one of the border sides of the aforementioned country; and the border in question happened to be a very familiar one to my person. It was really a complicated and horrific dream; believe me, it was a vague one. Till this moment, I’m still bemused over the anomaly. Honestly I’m presently passing through a state of imbroglio as a result of the encounter.
Well, maybe the above dream wasn’t unconnected to the various untold scenes we witnessed almost on a daily basis in the Nigerian state. I’m just thinking aloud. Of course, it’s no longer news that the entire members of the ‘innocent’ nation have been sleeping with one eye open for quite some years now. And as the subsequent days unfold, it appears the situation is being aggravated. It’s really pathetic.
Since the inception of duty of the current federal administration ‘ably’ led by President Goodluck Jonathan, the Islamic sect otherwise known as ‘Boko Haram’ has been terrorizing the country, particularly the North-Eastern region. I learnt that the so-called Boko Haram is currently the world’s third most dreaded terrorist institution; it is reportedly the third to only Al-Shabaab and Al-Quaeda.
The Boko Haram group has been saluting virtually all the facets of the Nigeria’s Northern region with series of bomb blasts and all-manner of explosives. This, no doubt, has been lingering constantly and consistently for quite some time now. I was forced to ask if Nigeria was passing through a kind of spell invoked by our forefathers thereby making me to cite and as well recite most of the dirges we normally cite those days we were in Nursery School. But on the contrary, I’m strongly of the view that our forefathers wouldn’t want anything less than ‘The Best’ for this ‘great’ country. Let’s ride on!
Some weeks ago, Tuesday 15th April 2014, over 200 students in Federal Government Girls’ College, Chibok, Bornu State were allegedly abducted by same Boko Haram insurgents at about some minutes past one in the midnight, barely few hours after they bombed the famous Nyanya Motor Park in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. This incident, which is first of its kind, has continued to attract mixed feelings and comments from various groups both across the country and in the diaspora. The most devastating aspect is that, I was informed lately that, the abducted girls were allegedly being raped daily by their abductors.
Reports hold that, while some have dismissed current government’s efforts to curb terrorism, others are insisting that the insurgents are receiving cooperation from high quarters. Still, amidst the various discussions, reports, mixed comments, and what have you, in respect to recuing those abducted innocent school girls, many other terrorist actions had subsequently taken place in several corners of the same Northern region. The most recent one was the one that occurred few days ago, Tuesday May 20, 2014 in Jos, Plateau State; leaving over 150 people dead, many maimed and too many others injured.
Reportedly, I learnt that after the recent Jos bombing, Nigerian government ranks or was blacklisted as worst government in the entire world. The report in question reads, ‘The Jos bombings of Tuesday May 20, 2014 which claimed more than 200 lives according to latest counts, has pushed Nigeria to formally occupy the first position in the ranking of world nations with the worst governments in history.’ I was further informed that other criteria which recently moved Nigeria up the list include, corruption, poverty, and pollution.
Notwithstanding, the most grievous experience to the hearts of the teeming Nigerians remains the abduction of the Chibok school girls. The ugly incident has attracted so many reactions and counter-reactions across the globe, including the readiness of the International Community as regards rescuing the innocent girls. Needless to say that, all hands are on deck to ensure that the ongoing mystery coupled with misery is unravel.
Many crusades and peaceful protests have been conducted by concerned individuals and numerous non-governmental organizations including the religious bodies all over the country concerning the abduction of the school girls, which the inscription on their placards reads, ‘Bring Back Our Girls’. The Bring-back-our-girls crusade has abruptly turned to a mere poem being cited by children of various ages, because nothing different seems to have been done to ensure that the scenario becomes a thing of the past after five good weeks of the relentless efforts. At this juncture, I’m forced to ask again, are we under a kind of spell?
Many rumours and what have you, have been lingering concerning the ‘Sambisa forest’ situated in Adamawa State. Based on the Guardian Newspaper of Thursday May 8, 2014, the Adamawa state governor in the person of retired Admiral Murtala Nyako reportedly stated in an exclusive interview as follows: ‘… Sambisa is about 60 km long and 60 km wide. If you are in the forest, you can only see the next person by your side if you have a torchlight; if not, you can’t see anything. It is a thick forest with heavy trees and wild animals ….’ In the speech he said unequivocally that, unless the Federal Government takes a bold step to destroy the forest, the fight against insurgency may continue to rage in the area.
My humble question regarding this wholesome report remains; is the so-called Sambisa forest inaccessible? Well, whatever the case might be, all I want and all we care for is that, they must bring back our girls; I’m sick and tired of all these Sambisa bullshits and the rest of them. Enough of this conundrum. It’s high time we started thinking in a different direction. Think about it!
FRED NWAOZOR
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Brethren, I could remember vividly when we were kids, we used to heartily cite most children poems both under the sun and rain. Today, I keep on imagining how it would look to people around me if I eventually repeat or come-up with those things we did very well during our childhood stage.
Nevertheless, some present occasions we encounter warrant the repetition of those things we did or said when we were mere toddlers or teenagers as the case might be.
Frankly, barely three nights ago, precisely Friday May 23 – 2014, I had a nightmare; and it was all about ‘The giant of Africa’. In the dream, someone was forcedly dragging me towards one of the border sides of the aforementioned country; and the border in question happened to be a very familiar one to my person. It was really a complicated and horrific dream; believe me, it was a vague one. Till this moment, I’m still bemused over the anomaly. Honestly I’m presently passing through a state of imbroglio as a result of the encounter.
Well, maybe the above dream wasn’t unconnected to the various untold scenes we witnessed almost on a daily basis in the Nigerian state. I’m just thinking aloud. Of course, it’s no longer news that the entire members of the ‘innocent’ nation have been sleeping with one eye open for quite some years now. And as the subsequent days unfold, it appears the situation is being aggravated. It’s really pathetic.
Since the inception of duty of the current federal administration ‘ably’ led by President Goodluck Jonathan, the Islamic sect otherwise known as ‘Boko Haram’ has been terrorizing the country, particularly the North-Eastern region. I learnt that the so-called Boko Haram is currently the world’s third most dreaded terrorist institution; it is reportedly the third to only Al-Shabaab and Al-Quaeda.
The Boko Haram group has been saluting virtually all the facets of the Nigeria’s Northern region with series of bomb blasts and all-manner of explosives. This, no doubt, has been lingering constantly and consistently for quite some time now. I was forced to ask if Nigeria was passing through a kind of spell invoked by our forefathers thereby making me to cite and as well recite most of the dirges we normally cite those days we were in Nursery School. But on the contrary, I’m strongly of the view that our forefathers wouldn’t want anything less than ‘The Best’ for this ‘great’ country. Let’s ride on!
Some weeks ago, Tuesday 15th April 2014, over 200 students in Federal Government Girls’ College, Chibok, Bornu State were allegedly abducted by same Boko Haram insurgents at about some minutes past one in the midnight, barely few hours after they bombed the famous Nyanya Motor Park in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. This incident, which is first of its kind, has continued to attract mixed feelings and comments from various groups both across the country and in the diaspora. The most devastating aspect is that, I was informed lately that, the abducted girls were allegedly being raped daily by their abductors.
Reports hold that, while some have dismissed current government’s efforts to curb terrorism, others are insisting that the insurgents are receiving cooperation from high quarters. Still, amidst the various discussions, reports, mixed comments, and what have you, in respect to recuing those abducted innocent school girls, many other terrorist actions had subsequently taken place in several corners of the same Northern region. The most recent one was the one that occurred few days ago, Tuesday May 20, 2014 in Jos, Plateau State; leaving over 150 people dead, many maimed and too many others injured.
Reportedly, I learnt that after the recent Jos bombing, Nigerian government ranks or was blacklisted as worst government in the entire world. The report in question reads, ‘The Jos bombings of Tuesday May 20, 2014 which claimed more than 200 lives according to latest counts, has pushed Nigeria to formally occupy the first position in the ranking of world nations with the worst governments in history.’ I was further informed that other criteria which recently moved Nigeria up the list include, corruption, poverty, and pollution.
Notwithstanding, the most grievous experience to the hearts of the teeming Nigerians remains the abduction of the Chibok school girls. The ugly incident has attracted so many reactions and counter-reactions across the globe, including the readiness of the International Community as regards rescuing the innocent girls. Needless to say that, all hands are on deck to ensure that the ongoing mystery coupled with misery is unravel.
Many crusades and peaceful protests have been conducted by concerned individuals and numerous non-governmental organizations including the religious bodies all over the country concerning the abduction of the school girls, which the inscription on their placards reads, ‘Bring Back Our Girls’. The Bring-back-our-girls crusade has abruptly turned to a mere poem being cited by children of various ages, because nothing different seems to have been done to ensure that the scenario becomes a thing of the past after five good weeks of the relentless efforts. At this juncture, I’m forced to ask again, are we under a kind of spell?
Many rumours and what have you, have been lingering concerning the ‘Sambisa forest’ situated in Adamawa State. Based on the Guardian Newspaper of Thursday May 8, 2014, the Adamawa state governor in the person of retired Admiral Murtala Nyako reportedly stated in an exclusive interview as follows: ‘… Sambisa is about 60 km long and 60 km wide. If you are in the forest, you can only see the next person by your side if you have a torchlight; if not, you can’t see anything. It is a thick forest with heavy trees and wild animals ….’ In the speech he said unequivocally that, unless the Federal Government takes a bold step to destroy the forest, the fight against insurgency may continue to rage in the area.
My humble question regarding this wholesome report remains; is the so-called Sambisa forest inaccessible? Well, whatever the case might be, all I want and all we care for is that, they must bring back our girls; I’m sick and tired of all these Sambisa bullshits and the rest of them. Enough of this conundrum. It’s high time we started thinking in a different direction. Think about it!
FRED NWAOZOR
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Opening Speech By Oru East TC-Chairman During Her Excellency's Visit
THE WELCOME ADDRESS PRESENTED BY ORU EAST TC CHAIRMAN - HON. BARR. OBINNA AMAGWULA, DURING THE COMMISSIONING OF SNARP PHASE III BY HER EXCELLENCY - NNEOMA NKECHI OKOROCHA, TODAY FRIDAY MAY 23, 2014
PROTOCOLS
Your Excellency, I’m so delighted to present this speech before your presence in this historic and epoch-making occasion. I’m indeed deeply pleased to have you in our midst today.
It is no longer news that you are in Oru East to commission the ultra-modern house you built for one of us under the aegis of the Phase-III of the She Needs A Roof Project (SNARP), which your Excellency just concluded a while ago in all the existing Local Government Areas in Imo State. We have not forgotten the one you commissioned sometime ago at Ezi-Awo I autonomous Community in Awo-Omamma.
This programme (SNARP) was solely initiated by you, due to your undiluted passion to ensure thorough eradication of shanty huts through the construction of befitting bungalows for the poorest of the poor and the downtrodden in Imo State, most importantly the indigent widows and orphans.
Without mincing words and with all-manner of sincerity, in the history of this state, this would be the very first time we would witness such capital intensive project duly oversees by a First Lady. You have really proven to us beyond any reasonable doubt that your love for the good people of Imo State and Oru East in particular remains indisputable and relentless, just like that of a mother to her beloved children in whom she is well pleased. We sincerely promise you that we shall live to remember this uncommon generosity.
Honestly Ma, we the good people of Oru East gathered here today, lack the appropriate word we could use to express our joy having counted us worthy to benefit from this remarkable and conscience-driven programme widely known as She Needs A Roof Project (SNARP). Needless to say that, we are humbled to be your host in regard to this ever-charming initiative that has granted your Excellency a well-deserved name, “Eji Ulo Eme Ogo”.
Your Excellency, we immensely pray that posterity will never cease to remember you and your entire household owing to the fact that, many have been enriched with eternal happiness as a result of the indefatigable magnanimous gesture you have been showcasing to the needy and the less-privileged in our midst; which is not unconnected to the Rescue Mission Agenda of your darling and lovely husband, His Excellency Owelle Rochas Okorocha.
I want to use this avenue to appreciate all of us who found time to embrace this wonderful and memorable event, most especially the leaders of this council and the traditional rulers. We have proven to our First Lady that indeed, She is in our hearts. I also want to commend everyone who contributed in one way or the other to ensure that this ceremony becomes a success.
Once again your Excellency; Eji Ulo eme ogo, we the entire people of Oru East LGA wish you and your able entourage a safe trip back to your respective destinations.
Thank you all!
------------------------------------------------
HON. BARR. OBINNA AMAGWULA
TC-CHAIRMAN, ORU EAST LGA
PROTOCOLS
Your Excellency, I’m so delighted to present this speech before your presence in this historic and epoch-making occasion. I’m indeed deeply pleased to have you in our midst today.
It is no longer news that you are in Oru East to commission the ultra-modern house you built for one of us under the aegis of the Phase-III of the She Needs A Roof Project (SNARP), which your Excellency just concluded a while ago in all the existing Local Government Areas in Imo State. We have not forgotten the one you commissioned sometime ago at Ezi-Awo I autonomous Community in Awo-Omamma.
This programme (SNARP) was solely initiated by you, due to your undiluted passion to ensure thorough eradication of shanty huts through the construction of befitting bungalows for the poorest of the poor and the downtrodden in Imo State, most importantly the indigent widows and orphans.
Without mincing words and with all-manner of sincerity, in the history of this state, this would be the very first time we would witness such capital intensive project duly oversees by a First Lady. You have really proven to us beyond any reasonable doubt that your love for the good people of Imo State and Oru East in particular remains indisputable and relentless, just like that of a mother to her beloved children in whom she is well pleased. We sincerely promise you that we shall live to remember this uncommon generosity.
Honestly Ma, we the good people of Oru East gathered here today, lack the appropriate word we could use to express our joy having counted us worthy to benefit from this remarkable and conscience-driven programme widely known as She Needs A Roof Project (SNARP). Needless to say that, we are humbled to be your host in regard to this ever-charming initiative that has granted your Excellency a well-deserved name, “Eji Ulo Eme Ogo”.
Your Excellency, we immensely pray that posterity will never cease to remember you and your entire household owing to the fact that, many have been enriched with eternal happiness as a result of the indefatigable magnanimous gesture you have been showcasing to the needy and the less-privileged in our midst; which is not unconnected to the Rescue Mission Agenda of your darling and lovely husband, His Excellency Owelle Rochas Okorocha.
I want to use this avenue to appreciate all of us who found time to embrace this wonderful and memorable event, most especially the leaders of this council and the traditional rulers. We have proven to our First Lady that indeed, She is in our hearts. I also want to commend everyone who contributed in one way or the other to ensure that this ceremony becomes a success.
Once again your Excellency; Eji Ulo eme ogo, we the entire people of Oru East LGA wish you and your able entourage a safe trip back to your respective destinations.
Thank you all!
------------------------------------------------
HON. BARR. OBINNA AMAGWULA
TC-CHAIRMAN, ORU EAST LGA
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