Congestion Calls for Execution in Edo State

By Amina Kollere

Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole recently signed the warrant for the execution of two prison inmates on death row while their appeal is still pending in court! According to the Edo State attorney general, they are alleged murderers, and in order to handle the issue of congestion in the state prison, they should face execution.

I was utterly mortified to hear this so called justification for taking people’s lives. Is this how insignificant our lives are in the eyes of our ‘leaders’? Politicians and people in high places of power commit crimes on a daily basis, but they don’t get so much as a slap on the wrist; however, a groundnut seller steals N5 and it becomes the crime of the century.

The Amnesty International and The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) intervened and asked Governor Adams Oshiomhole to withdraw the death sentence. It’s good to know that when our leaders don’t have our backs, NGOs do.

I remember the prison swap that took place last year in Egypt between the Palestinian Taliban group and the Israelis. The Israelis swapped almost a thousand prisoners for just one of their own, a young military man. I thought it was commendable that they cared so much for just one of their own. With the situation in Edo, I feel nothing but shame for my nation-state. This goes to show that Nigeria is not a sovereign nation, but a geographical location where natural selection takes place. The weak get trampled on by the powerful, and the powerful get more power at the expense of the weak.

We call ourselves civilized? Killing prisoners because of congestion is as barbaric as it can get. We might as well go back to the Stone Age and start wearing hides and skins. That is more civilized than what we’re becoming.

Lucy Freeman, Amnesty International’s Deputy Programme Director for Africa, says, “The decision to sign a death warrant on these two prisoners shows a deep disrespect for the judicial process as the inmates are part of an ongoing appeal. The execution of a prisoner when their death sentence is still under challenge in the courts is a flagrant violation of human rights.”

It appears that the culture of ‘unfair Justice’ in Nigeria is worse than I imagined it. A couple of inmates accused of murder with their appeal still pending are to be executed. The government in Nigeria doesn’t care much for the third arm of government, the Judiciary, and it’s time the Chief Justice did something about it. Shouldn’t the decision to execute a prisoner involve the federal government? I think it should. Already, people die on a daily basis in the North Eastern part of the country due to terrorist attacks. Apparently, the governor is not satisfied with the death toll and is generously offering more.

The death row problem in Nigeria is not just in Edo state. Amnesty International is reporting that approximately 920 people are on the death row in Nigeria. Is it normal to have so many people on death row? If they were all politicians, I’d have no problem with that number. However, since we all know they are mere civilians, I think the judicial system in Nigeria is seriously flawed, and someone needs to do something about it.

At its 44th Ordinary Session in Abuja, Nigeria, the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights adopted a resolution calling on African states that still retain the death penalty to observe a moratorium on the execution of death sentences with a view to abolishing the death penalty. The resolution also forbids the application of the death penalty in conditions not respectful of the right to a fair trial guaranteed under the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and other relevant international norms.

Here’s a thought governor, if you have an issue with congestion, why don’t you look into the less complicated cases? I’m sure there are innocent people locked up. Why don’t you set them free instead of being too eager to take people’s lives? Or here’s another idea, why don’t you have contractors taking care of these prisons?

Give us a reason to be calm

By Halima Olajumoke Sogbesan

My fears for the country have been heightened once again, and I think every Nigerian falls into my category. Just few weeks ago, we mourned from shocking deaths; the gruesome killing of about 40 students of the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, in the most callous of ways, and the lynching of 4 students of the University of Port Harcourt in Aluu for irrational reasons.

Though the Mubi attack was attributed to the dreaded Boko Haram sect, some factions claim that the perpetrators of the attack were students who were upset about the school’s recently concluded student union elections. Boko Haram was out of the question for the Aluu lynching because it was obvious that an irresponsible crowd was to blame. So, after some weeks of inactivity of the dreaded Boko Haram, I thought that the prayers of numerous Nigerians had been answered. I thought the period of bomb attacks in Nigeria was over. However, I was in for a shocker as Sunday, October 28, presented another mournful day for the country; a suicide bombing attack on the Saint Rita’s Catholic Church at Ungwar Yero in Malali, Kaduna North LGA.

A spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Yushau Shuaib, has placed the death toll at 8 people and the number of injured, 145. Most of those affected are women and children. Though the sect has not claimed responsibility for the attack, from descriptions, it is safe to say that the attack was Boko Haram styled.

Eye witnesses say that the suicide bomber drove a tinted Toyota car. After being denied entry into the church premises by the security personnel, pretending to be reversing out of the church, he rammed his car into the church building and then an explosion followed. Some reports claim that he crashed into the children’s section of the church, injuring and killing innocent children that had done no one any harm. I mourn with the parents who lost their children, and I sympathize with those parents who are nursing the wounds of their kids. How will they explain to these little angels that they were attacked because of views I refuse to understand? I fear for this and so many other reasons.

I fear that no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. The whole of Nigeria has ascribed responsibility of the attack to the notorious Boko Haram. However, the group has not claimed responsibility, proving otherwise. How are we sure that an upcoming terrorist group is not hiding under the guise of Boko Haram? Should we still be scared of subsequent attacks?

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported that, “Unconfirmed reports said at least two people were killed in reprisal attacks by Christians after the bombing.” That could have been an innocent me, my sister, my friend or any other person that had nothing to do with the blast. It is scary that Muslims and Northerners may have to pay the price of a group’s wrongdoings, and so, I fear that the killings are making it more difficult for people of different religions to tolerate opposing views. To know how bad the situation is, all one has to do is read comments below news articles on news websites, and the hatred is apparent. Many of these comments call for reprisals, and it is scary that these are not opinions of just one or two, but many.

At this point, I say with no remorse that the government is not helping us deal with these issues well. So far, key players in Nigerian politics have told us to be calm; they (the authorities) are on top of things. How do you tell families that have lost loved ones to be calm? Be calm and that’s it? I think it is high time our government recognized that it is its responsibility to protect the lives and properties of its citizens. I hate that since 2009 when the terrorist activities started I have harboured choking fears about the security situation in the country. As my little siblings leave for school, I would utter a prayer to God begging Him to bring them back safely. As my father dresses up to work, the same fears are expressed, and it is no different when my mother goes to shop at the market. I know I am not alone in my fears. So let President Jonathan stop telling us how “barbaric” and “cruel” the attacks are. We know that. We get it! Let Jonathan not tell us that the culprits of the attack are against the unity of Nigeria. We obviously know that. We get it! What he should do is let us know how he intends to deal with the security challenges of the country. Till then, government officials should stop preaching calmness to us. It is unrealistic to be calm during times like these. Let them give us a reason to be calm. Until they do, we will all be fearful of what Nigeria has become.

Salvation at last!

By Haneefah Adamu

Nigeria, the giant of Africa, gifted with natural resources, from the cocoa of the East to the crude oil of the South and the peanuts of the North, with a population of over a hundred and fifty million, seventy percent of which constitute a possible manpower which can drive the nation to even greater heights. However, according to UNDP, Nigeria ranks 156 globally in terms of unemployment despite the rising figures of literacy in the country.

Unemployment is second only to poverty among Nigeria’s socio-economic ills. Most of the victims of unemployment are graduates of tertiary institutions.

Generally, quality education has a direct bearing on national prestige, greatness and cohesion. The knowledge and skills acquired help determine the degree of patriotism and contribution to national development, but recent statements credited to Minister of Finance Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala saying, “Nigerian graduates are unemployable” comes in a bad taste.

Every year, over 300,000 youth graduate from Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, and, as the number grows annually, more people will join the unemployment line. According to Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics, “Nigeria’s unemployment rate is spiraling upwards, growing at 16 percent per year. The youth of the nation are the most impacted, with a youth unemployment rate over 50 percent.”

As a graduating senior, one who is about to join the labor force of a country with an alarming rate of unemployment, it only makes me ponder more, and ask myself, ‘is this where hope ends?’ ‘Is there no light at the end of the tunnel?’ Recently, Nigeria has been listed among the "Next Eleven" economies and as the world's 39th largest economy; Nigeria is poised for greater prosperity. However, I do not see a role cut out for the youth in helping Nigeria reach such goals and realize even bigger dreams.

Following a great deal of cries, complaints and dissatisfaction by the masses over unfulfilled promises of poverty alleviation and job creations made by past governments, then came salvation. In an interview, the Education Minister, Professor Rukkaya Rufa’I said, she would make graduates of tertiary institutions self-reliant and self-employed. An evidence of this statement is the collaboration among the Ministries of Education, Finance, Youth and Development, and Women affairs and Social Development. This alliance has led to the creation of ‘The Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria’ (YOU WIN) program and vocational workshops in tertiary institutions all over the country.

YOU WIN is designed to generate jobs by encouraging and supporting aspiring entrepreneurial youth in Nigeria. The initiative will attract ideas and innovations from young entrepreneurial applicants from all post-Secondary institutions in Nigeria. Generally, it provides a one-time equity grant of one to ten million naira to 1,200 people aspiring to start or expand their businesses.

The vocational workshops in the tertiary institutions help students sharpen and acquire skills.

Often we criticize our government for not doing enough, now they have done well. Kudos!

Presenting this week's opinions

Hello all! I am Halima Olajumoke Sogbesan. I have had a wonderful time serving as this week's editor. Amina Kollere, the co-editor for the week, has assisted in ensuring that our posts are of impeccable standards. This week's opinions are thought provoking and, of course, interesting. As usual, we hope you have a good read. Enjoy!

Diversity: Liability or Asset?

By Haneefah Adamu

Nigeria is highly diverse and rich in its culture. From North to South, Nigeria’s rich heritage speaks volumes of the resourcefulness and diligence of the people.

After the amalgamation of cities from the fringes of the northern deserts of Africa down to the coastal cities of the Atlantic waters in the south, Nigeria came to being. As one of the most indigenously diverse nations in the world, its diversity is mirrored in a spectrum of principles and aspects, views and counterviews and discipline and tolerance. This 1914 amalgamation fused together over a hundred million people, with over two hundred and fifty ethnic groups that spoke over four thousand dialects.

Ninety-eight years ago, the amalgamation could have been argued as a mistake during the time when the issue was still open for debate or when the man behind the genius idea, Lord Lugard, called it an experiment and also acknowledged that, “The North and the South are like oil and water, they will never mix”.
It is true that oil and water never mix, but we can barely run a powerful engine
without oil and water. Therefore, I do not see the fusion of Nigeria as an experiment or a liability, but something far better which was meant to be and which will take Nigeria to even greater heights of realizations and true victory.

Prior to 1914, citizens could not have imagined what life would be with the blend of citizens from the north coming together with that of the south to live as one. In 2012, we cannot imagine it any other way. The thoughts and beliefs of our forefathers about the amalgamation should not be a basis for judgment, because they had little or no clue what the future held, and as for our generation, we only have relic stories or second hand narratives of what life was before 1914 and a few decades later.

The marriage paved the way for the departure of the British from Nigeria and ultimately, a sovereign Nigeria.

With diversity such as Nigeria’s, it’s cumbersome to maintain. How many other countries can boast of people with such diverse attitudes and values? It prepares us for the world at large, as we’re already able to accept that people are different and have their peculiarities. I believe that our daily lives have become fully Nigerian and we are all products of one society. We should, therefore, focus on seeing the beauty of diversity rather than see it as a threat and be tolerant of one another because there is strength in numbers. And only then we can use our numbers and diversity to our upmost advantage.

Our amalgamation is the best thing that happened to Nigeria. Let’s face it, no tribe can exist without the other because in brotherhood we stand. I believe that purposeful leadership can tackle the challenges which diversity poses for governance. In fact, we need to appreciate that our cultural and social diversity constitute an asset rather than a liability.

Patience Jonathan and the Perplexing Second Chance

By Halima Olajumoke Sogbesan

I am made to believe that the Office of the First Lady is not recognized by the Nigerian constitution. However, the celebrity status of the First Lady is enough to convince anyone that the position is a ceremonious one with many privileges, the most recent being possible candidacy for position of Permanent Secretary. I was, therefore, not surprised when Nigerians noticed the absence of our First Lady-turned-politician from public arena for about six weeks and asked questions regarding her whereabouts.

Ayo Osinlu, the First Lady’s aide, explained to the media that Mrs Jonathan had to “rest” after hosting the laborious African First Ladies Summit in July. The presidency said no more on the subject, leaving the people with unanswered questions, therefore, giving room to media speculations. Few weeks into the First Lady’s mysterious absence, different “discoveries” were made on the First Lady’s whereabouts. First, the media reported that Mrs. Jonathan was in Germany receiving treatment at one Horst Schmidt Klinik in Wiesbaden for numerous ailments.

The First Lady was alleged to have been hospitalized for treatment of terminal diseases, such as cancer of the uterus and the Parkinson’s syndrome. Her Body Mass Index (BMI), slurred speech, and slow movements were symptoms that were fed to the public as indicators that she had these diseases. I dismissed the credibility of these news reports when the speculated list of ailments extended. In addition to the previous list, the First Lady was supposedly treating complications from a cosmetic surgery she had in Dubai; she was getting treated for food poisoning and, in fact, some speculated that she had died. You can always trust Nigerians, they will connect the dots. Overnight, people concluded that the Aso Rock Presidential Villa had been cast under a dark spell. This spell was said to have claimed the life of a president and/or a first lady. Examples of the death of Late Abacha, Stella Obasanjo and Yar’Adua were cited to make the nonsense believable. Was it Patience’s turn? Nigerians asked.

While these speculations continued, the presidency remained mute about Dame Patience Jonathan’s location. Instead, to pacify the enquiring minds, the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) on October 7 aired President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to the First lady in Germany. She was not dead after all.

Patience Jonathan finally silenced cynics with her arrival at Abuja on October 17. She was received amid celebration at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport by politicians, state First Ladies, and female ministers. Mrs Jonathan was happy to be back to Nigeria and she had a few words for those that had spread the rumors. She said, “…I will use this opportunity to tell those few ones that are saying that anybody that goes to Villa or Aso Rock will die. They mentioned Abacha, Stella Obasanjo, Yar’Adua and other people. But those people, why didn’t they mention those ones that went there with their families and succeeded and they still came out alive?

“At the same time, I read in the media where they said I was in the hospital. God Almighty knows I have never been to that hospital. I don’t even know the hospital they mentioned. I have to explain what God has done for me. I do not have terminal illness, or any cosmetic surgery much less tummy tuck.”

I was just about to castigate the rumor mongers before some more words of the First lady struck me. “…I will use this opportunity to thank my beloved husband and my children and my staff in general and all Nigerians for standing by me during my trial time. God has given me a second chance to come and work with women of Nigeria, children and the less privileged.”

Mrs Jonathan is causing some confusion here. Apart from the fact that many people who welcomed her at the villa wore shirts with “you will live long” inscribed on them, Mrs Jonathan talked about “a trial time” in her life and God giving her “a second chance”. What is Mrs Jonathan not telling the Nigerians she has come back to “serve”? I may have understood the First Lady better if she just slightly hinted at her whereabouts for six weeks. Don’t we deserve to know how she was getting really comfortable with the nation’s money?

This is another issue that is shrouded in detestable secrecy. It has become typical of the presidency to keep health issues secret. The Patience Jonathan case has some similarity with that of Late President Yar’Adua, whose unstable health was kept secret until his death. My prayer for the First Lady is that she remains in good health. However, let Mrs. Jonathan tell the truth about her condition to Nigerians. Until she does that, her “second chance” will continue to remain a perplexing issue.

Central Bank of Indecisiveness

By Amina Adamu Kollere

Some months ago, the news was dominated by discussions about the CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (SLS), and his attempt to introduce N5000 notes into the Nigerian economy. This spurred huge debates all over the country which resulted in SLS openly attacking the former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo.

I have no fond love for Obasanjo, but I do think that SLS was inappropriate, rude, and unprofessional. The headline read ‘Obasanjo is a bad economist’, and SLS was reported to have said, “This is an interesting country because my uncle or my father, who is our former Head of State, Gen. Obasanjo, you know he is a very successful farmer, but he is a very bad economist. He stands up and says that this higher denomination (N5000 note) will cause inflation and improve hardship.” Pardon me Governor, but there are better ways to disagree with Obasanjo, and they wouldn’t make you sound like an angry okada man.

That being said, the issue I want to put on the table is the indecisiveness of The Central Bank of Nigeria. Not long after CBN started contemplating having a cashless economy, it started contemplating the introduction of coins and the N5000 note. Don’t you all think that is a tad contradictory? I certainly think that SLS should make up his mind before making his thoughts public.

Rumors started that producing the N5000 note would cost Nigeria N40 billion, but SLS negated it saying that it would actually save Nigeria N7 billion. Did he provide facts to support his claim? Not that I know of.

The Country Manager of MasterCard, West Africa, Omokehinde Ojomuyide, said, “MasterCard envisions a world beyond cash, a goal that mirrors the cashless policy conceptualized by the Central Bank of Nigeria. We support this policy that aims to modernize the country’s payment systems. One of the key elements is reducing the cost of banking services and the cost of cash, as well as growing financial inclusion by providing more efficient transaction options and greater reach.” Continuing, she said: “It also aims to curb the high cost of using and accepting cash as a payment method, and prevent corruption, leakage, money laundering and other fraudulent activities that cash can enable.”

Howevr“However, to introduce a cashless policy means limiting individuals of cash withdrawal or lodgment in banks to N150, 000 and then initiate changes in features of all currencies in circulation while introducing a new N5000 note, means a deadline will be given within which hoarders of cash outside the banking system have to trade their old currencies for the new ones, which they can only do through banks and the cashless policy will be waiting for them”, wrote Kingsley Omose of Vanguard.

The fraudsters and politicians hoarding stolen cash must hate SLS for trying to put them in a difficult position. I hope that someday Nigeria becomes cashless just to put a dent in our Polithieves armors. However, for that to happen, thousands of illiterates in the country would have to be educated, which would not happen any time soon.

I appeal to SLS to not complicate matters. If he thinks we should become cashless, then he should put all his effort into seeing that it is successful instead of increasing our denominations at the same time. If he thinks the N5000 note is good for the country, then, again, he should try to make it work. This is not a context where we attempt to kill two birds with one stone. In this case, the stone will just scare the birds away. I may not know much about economics, but I do know that if SLS doesn’t make up his mind, come 2013, our economy would be even more unstable than it is now.

Introducing this week's opinions

Hello everyone!!!! I am Halima Olajumoke Sogbesan and it has been exciting working as this week's editor. This week's opinions are interesting and educative, with just the right spice of humor. Please have a good read.

Budget Hula-Hoop

By Haneefah Adamu 

A budget is a government’s most important financial plan that guides the procedures of drawing up its socio-economic strategies for a year. In the budgeting process of a democratic country, all three arms of government come to play. The president and the executive council deliberate on the proposed budget to ensure equitable allocation of funds in order of priority, which will ensure continual growth of the national economy. The president then proposes the budget to the legislature, where it is debated and approved. Failure to completely implement it will lead to a summon by the judiciary.

On the 9th of October 2012, President Goodluck Jonathan proposed a whopping sum of N4.92 trillion as budget for fiscal 2013, adding that this year’s focus will, “belong to the farmer, the investor, the entrepreneur, the youth and the elderly.” However, after an examination of the budget, the proposal confirms government’s leaning for waste, poor planning and misplaced priorities. This goes to show how unaccountable and visionless a so-called democratic government is.

During his two terms of eight years, President Olusegun Obasanjo did not fully implement even one of the eight budgets drawn up. All the legislature did was threaten to impeach him, and it remained a threat. The same happened with his successor, Late President Yar’adua, whose tenure was short lived. He was also threatened with impeachment on the basis of selective implementation of the 2009 Appropriation Act.

With the look of things, it is not hard to say if President Jonathan is taking cue from his predecessors, because only 41 percent of the 2012 budget has been implemented, and the legislatures are at his neck with the threat of impeachment. I say the vicious circle continues. Nonetheless, the National Assembly is currently insisting on full implementation of the 2012 budget before its approval of 2013. I hope this will be another chance for the National Assembly to break away from its shameful past and channel public expenditure away from consumption and towards capital growth and the spur of productive activities.

The budget Nigeria needs should focus mainly on how to expand revenue by drastically reducing poverty; rapidly promoting private sector job growth and cutting waste in public funds. There is also the need to improve the business climate. Unfortunately, the 2013 budget offers just a little in all of these.

Therefore, the legislature should apply itself more rigorously to analyzing this budget. We cannot afford to carry on mediocrity while the rest of the world is moving on.

While our Authorities Investigate….

By Halima Sogbesan

The deplorable state of security in the country has got me asking questions, just like numerous other Nigerians. It is almost impossible not to ask questions, when Boko Haram has become a household name and we all live in fear, watching out for when next they might strike, where the next target is, and who will be affected.  Since the sad episode of insecurity begun and gained ground in Nigeria, I have yearned for someone to open their mouth and blurt out the solutions to these problems. Sometimes I find myself turning the pages of newspapers for expert opinion on Nigeria’s security challenges and when this mess may end. However in my attempt to find answers, I have noticed a trend and this lies with our Police force and other security outlets. With every terrorist attack or strike, they “commence investigation”. These are investigations that never end or produce clear discoveries.

Since many of the attacks in Nigeria have been attributed to Boko Haram, it is probably time to tag statistics to the number of attacks the group has spearheaded. The United States of America’s 2011 Country Reports on Terrorism states that in 2010, the year Boko Haram gained notoriety nationwide, they successfully conducted 31 attacks. However, in 2011, the number rose tremendously to 136. It is important to note here that our authorities commenced investigation on every one of those attacks. We can assume that they did since they were ordered by Mr President to fish out the perpetrators of the terrorist acts. However, we never get feedback from the Police on their investigation. While they work towards “investigating”, some other dreadful acts occur; death tolls number more than a hundred with the injured battling to live and other people continue to live in perpetual fear.

It is 2012 and the attacks this year have not decreased in any way. In fact, we now have more to worry about. While we deal with Boko Haram, we mourn and worry about those students that were killed in Mubi by people we don’t know, since investigations are still on. We also mourn with the families of the students who were lynched in Aluu for allegedly stealing laptops and computers. We cannot conclude because up till this point the police investigation is still producing different results and pointing fingers at different people daily.

I was very quick to blame the Nigerian Police force for being incompetent but then the US Country Report on Terrorism 2011 again says that, though Nigerian laws were modelled on international standards, including the United Nations guidelines, these laws do not clearly define the police or security agency that would serve as the lead agency to investigate suspected terrorist crimes.

So, while I wait for the discoveries from the police investigations, I pacify myself with stories other people have made up about these groups and why they do what they do. I listen to those arguments again and again and believe that this episode will be over soon. I would, at least, believe that someday a headline somewhere will announce that the police force has concluded investigations on a case and then we can start turning the country around from there.

TRIBUTE TO A CLULESS PRESIDENT

By Amina Adamu Kollere

A couple of months ago, The Jamaatu Ahlis Sunnah Lil Daawati Wal Jihad, popularly known as Boko Haram, in a video called for President Jonathan to resign and accept Islam as a condition for peace. The sect refused any negotiation talks with government representatives.

            Describing the demand as blackmail the President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Reuben Abati said to Vanguard that he would not resign because he is the custodian of a mandate given to him by Christians and Muslims alike. According to Abati, it is ridiculous for any group in the country to issue such conditions to the president. "When Nigerians voted overwhelmingly for President Jonathan in the 2011 general election, they knew they were voting for a Christian. He continues to enjoy the goodwill and support of the good people of Nigeria. As president, Dr. Jonathan is the leader of both Muslims and Christians; in fact, he is the leader of persons of all faiths.”

            Very brave of our President not to succumb to blackmail! However, while he sits on his back, people are dying in Borno and Yobe States. Yesterday, more than 20 bombs went off in Maiduguri between 6pm and 10pm. Should we always wait to count the number of dead making sure to add it to the statistics, or should we seek solutions to prevent more deaths?  Civilians and members of the Joint Task Force lose their lives in Maiduguri, while GEJ sits in Aso villa chanting “I will not resign” like a kindergarten pupil learning nursery rhymes. If you won’t resign, then, pray tell, Mister President, what will you do?

            If the sect has refused talks with government representatives till its outrageous demands have been met, is that the only trick up GEJ’s sleeves? If we can call it a trick or maybe it is an obvious ploy that ought to be followed by a plan B. But it is clear that the Jonathan administration does not have a plan B. Rather, as we speak, they are most likely lining their pockets with more money waiting to see if things will get worse so that they can flee with their families without a regard for the average Nigerian who will be trapped in the chaos.

            Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed, a Former Federal Permanent Secretary, made a point at the 2^nd Annual Ramadan Lecture of the Muslim Media Publisher’s Association of Nigeria, with which I agree. He said, “Since the sect claims to be fighting a war on behalf of Islam, it is important for the Muslim community to engage them and find out the doctrinal basis of what they are doing.” It seems to me that Nigerians as a whole are not keen on finding out the actual reason the sect is doing what it is doing. Instead, we speculate and formulate conspiracy theories. Is it religious? No it is political but hiding under the guise of religious war. Which politicians are involved? It is the northern politicians wanting presidency back to the north. However, the truth is that nobody knows. Even GEJ is as clueless as the blind begger on the streets.

             We have established that Boko Haram is Islamic, whether they are acting as a religious or political sect is not important. What is important is for GEJ to get them to cease fire through the same tactic they use i.e. religion, after which proper investigation can be done and a decision can be made. If President Yar’adua who had health issues could handle the militants, why can’t GEJ handle Boko Haram? Clearly, he needs to be given a ‘How to be a president for dummies’ as his Christmas present.

introducing ourselves

Good day to everyone! we are excited to be starting this blog and discussing issues that matter in our society and the world at large.

This blog was inspired by our mentor and professor, who is currently teaching us critical and editorial writing in The American University of Nigeria, Professor Samuel K. Tesunbi. The blog will have three writers namely, Halima Sogbesan, Hanyfa Adamu, and Amina Kollere. The idea is that we would each have something to publish every week, and the three of us would take turns being editors with our professor as the chief editor. We hope to make a difference with our writing and we wish you the best. The editor for this week is Amina Kollere and above is our posts for this week. We hope you will find it interesting.

God bless you all, enjoy!