In every part of Nigeria, there is heightened tension and anxiety. The country has never been as divided as this since its amalgamation in 1914.
No wonder the decision of the present federal government to hold national conference received applause from various ethnic nationalities in the country.
However, to me, rather than dwell on political issues, the fundamental issue the conference should address, if at all it will hold borders on the issue of security, especially as it relates to the activities of thee Boko Haram sect in the Northern part of the country, where Ndigbo are being killed in their numbers.
One of the primary duties of the government is to safeguard the lives and properties of the citizens, but the reverse has remained the case in the North, where the problem of Boko Haram appears to have overwhelmed the government. Even the state of emergency declared in the affected areas has not done any magic.
I am more concerned because having lived in the North, and as the Coordinator , Northern Province, BRIL, I am aware that the killing of Igbo’s in that part of the country seems to be a daily ritual. The activities of the sect reached its peak during the Christmas day bombing and the resultant killing of mostly Igbo’s during worship in a Catholic in Madalla. It’s time for government to wake up from its sleep and slumber and put a stop to the activities of the Boko Haram sect.
How do we explain a situation where people will be killed simply because they went to worship God? Time has really come for government to take decisive steps because Ndigbo cannot continue to be suffering and smiling in Nigeria. I am worried and my heart is full of pains because nobody can predict the next victim.
Of course, I cannot begin to talk about several priests who have been murdered since this onslaught started. In April 15th 2013, the media reported of a pastor who was beheaded in church toilet, as well as a mother and child killed in most wicked manner.
It is, therefore, quite appalling that while we have continued to sing the song of one Nigeria, killing of our people has continued. From the above, is it not obvious that if we say we are one Nigeria, the unity should be negotiated? How long will Nigerians keep experiencing avoidable deaths and extreme inefficiencies and why should Christians be the first victims at every instance?
If we cannot stay as one country, should we not split if that is the only way out of these killings? I believe that if that happens, every region will develop at its own pace and not one pulling another down in order to catch up.
Besides, freedom of religion, which though guaranteed by Nigeria’s constitution, but being challenged by the Islamic sect, would then, be enjoyed by the people. It will then become understandable if Churches are then regulated or banned, and pastors attacked, especially if they are foreigners.
More so, the issue of federal character, that gives advantage to ethnicity than quality will end. In that direction, each region can take advantage of their areas of competence, e.g North can export agricultural products, South will take over its oil and the activities of MEND will end.
In addition, it is my considered view that Nigeria is too large, thereby making the citizens far from the people. On the other hand, if we go our ways, the people will be closer to their leaders and make their impacts more felt, unlike now that their leaders are protected by a set of selfish politicians in a distant land called ABUJA.
How can we fold hands and watch these atrocities every minute of the day. Peace is fundamentally required for growth and development of any nation. Christians’ are “peace makers” and we are commanded to continuously seek knowledge through education, formal and informal, because it is the foundation of wisdom, light and power being a catalyst that restores human dignity. Education is life. It is a great resource for empowerment. It produces knowledge for public good.
We live in Nigeria, a country in West Africa, with a growing population of over one hundred and sixty million people who are often prone to diseases, hunger and poverty because of under development caused by Boko haram and insincere leaders.
Boko Haram is a canker worm and caterpillar that destroys the economy and lives of many children, youth, men and women in Nigeria. To say that the deadly activity of the Boko Haram is killing the economy of Nigeria is an understatement.
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