It is a doctrine that human actions should be guided by the depth of one's conscience, unfortunately livelihoods that should be guaranteed freedom has been hold back by unpleasant social instability, lack of popular welfare allocation, security has been reduced to political consideration and bickering, general inequality and lack of definitive command roles within the security agencies and the failure of the legal system together with the inherent social breakdown, has systematically become a norm in what is known as the administration of leadership in Nigeria. Many officials hold back unpleasant information in the name of social stability, while feeding the populace with half truth. I believe only truth can create a stable society.
It is a doctrine that human actions should be guided by the depth of one's conscience, unfortunately livelihoods that should be guaranteed freedom has been hold back by unpleasant social instability, lack of popular welfare allocation, security has been reduced to political consideration and bickering, general inequality and lack of definitive command roles within the security agencies and the failure of the legal system together with the inherent social breakdown, has systematically become a norm in what is known as the administration of leadership in Nigeria. Many officials hold back unpleasant information in the name of social stability, while feeding the populace with half truth. I believe only truth can create a stable society.
If a virus is allowed to become viral, to adequately immunize it, in-depth research must be conducted to find the remote source and cause. The numerous upheavals and armed militancy that started as ordinary has culminated presently to terror and destruction. It has today transformed its ugly presence as a tool of death, without boundary. Rural and urban residents are not spared, despite the disparity of the former and later not having the same equal rights, nor the same entitlement to public services. A nation of over 170million people with all powers and economic control in the hands of less than 5% is open to many dangers. From an experts opinion only the elites benefit from government's current policies. And the disadvantage of such a scenario is the deepening poverty and un-employment which will only exacerbate ethnic tensions within the divides, groom terror and advance illegalities.
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Moreover, the agents of authority that should enforce law and order has equally been infiltrated by these viral, and the populace continue to hear is pledges, which till the beginning of this cankerworm tons and tons of promises of greater enforcement of law and order have been made. Pledges are certainly welcome, but delivering on them would be even more so. Livelihoods can only be improved in a guaranteed atmosphere of peace that is pledged and seen to be improved through practices and not promises.
Boko Haram is not only dangerous to the commons but to the all mightiest too in the society. The virus is spreading like a wild fire, its neither ideological, religious or tribal. It is acts of the men of the under-world that have been tricked between a sojourn of an unknown destination to hell, they are all human from diverse beliefs and ethnicity. Lot of this marauders are bunch of unemployed illiterates, as a result of their vulnerability they are recruited as killers and terrorist with no background but to unleashed terror and bring the whole humanity to standstill, they are well funded, well remunerated and are made beneficiaries to macro-assistance schemes within their territories by extension. They have lured and recruit many vulnerable innocent unsuspecting victims and thanks to the unfortunate mass battalions of un-employed able youths, a nation that continue to neglect the stronghold of development and productivity will only not fall foul of itself, but inflict self with a cancerous worm that will slowly but surely spread to eat up its fabric of exploit.
As the nation has yet to come to terms with the bombing of the innocent poor at Nyanya, a satellite area with a close proximity to the nations elite Guard Brigade Headquarters and Presidential Villa which we all pride as the Center of the nation's unity. An early morning bomb was detonated and targeted at those less privileged bus drivers, bus conductors, commuters, pure water sellers, low income employees rushing to go work in search of their daily means of living, as also the unsuspecting mothers and children were shattered to pieces beyond one's imaginations. Their ends came in a devastating destruction as a result of a scourge caused by imperialist system failure that have made them equally victims of the failed system and scourge, what a sad end.
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The time to open the can of worms is not any other time than now in order to address these problems. The government must admit systematic failure of the basics of human development. A leadership that disenfranchises its citizens of basic human needs must be willing to pay the supreme sacrifice in whatever manner necessary as admission of neglect and squander. From the inception of this democracy in 1999 till date leaders have made many reform pledges, promising to create a fair and just society, create and evolve the nations political, legal, and economic system to what is obtained in every advanced democracy and economies while building on pledges made by their predecessors. But alas, what the nation can see glaringly and unstoppable is the wanton corruption which is the root cause of social retarding and creator of terror, as any form of injustice to one or to a society is an injustice that spreads to many. Thus, pledges are certainly good and sound so sweet from the politicians and welcome by the followers, but delivering on them would be even more so.
It is getting to over 2 weeks since our school girls are forcefully taken away. Now where are our daughters? As much as the government has remained the custodians of the security of lives and properties, this question will require an answer from the authorities reposed with the safe keeping of the society's safety. Where are our daughters? We demand for an effective check on official misbehaviour and operational transparency.
Many have argued that the government and its leadership are not to be alone in the maintenance of law and order. I agree that it is the responsibility of all, but under what circumstances can one be seen to be actively a participant of such desired order. Is it when you become an informer at the risk of been exposed by the same authority that should have protected your identity or the legal system that is manipulated to free the offender giving him a second chance to first deal and harm his exposer or a system that easily fired a whistleblower? And the suspecting offender seen dancing and globetrotting with powers that be at the expense of the many. Or have our laws allowed responsible ownership of guns? That would have aided many at this moment of going to the doorsteps of these terrorists at their enclave not minding the consequences to dislodge them and free these little girls who have been forced to become sex slaves and wives to criminals. That would have also ease the trauma parents of these kids are going through, because as fathers they would have had the courage to go face to face with our daughters’ kidnappers and square it up no matter the outcome, than living at the doubting efforts of the trained soldiers that have failed us despite been trained from our hard earned taxes.
In an inclined and justifiable society the rule of law has no scared cow nor does it treat a leader elected to defend the constitution and be the custodian of the security of lives and properties be allowed to be the first to violate the rules and laws and yet be spared in whatever guise once found to be wanting, and in some of such societies leaders cover their faces in shame on acts committed by others within its territory, while the morally inclined resign to faith and give up their mantle of authority just for the sake of self sacrifice in contributing to a just society. Alas, ours is that doomed by ego and unpalatable desires for worldly benefits that destroy the fabric life of the nation, ours is a leadership that sobbed immediate death and podium danced to self interest at the detriment of the national interest and not minding the bereaved and the missing souls.
In our society today, leaders that excel in thievery and whom have violated financial and social regulations are celebrated, while those that contribute more to the society but lacking government patronage or that of the powers that be are sacrificial lambs of the forsaking judicial system at helms and control of the same detractors. Hence any reform that will not break up the old order of the so called special elite groups is useless and pointless.
A systematic approach needs to be taken by Abuja to bring back the deteriorating standard of living in the land, the scourge of militancy and armed conflicts is fast spreading and the terrorism that has found a space in our land must not be allowed to have a home. The government at the Center must do everything within its wide range of powers to translate its words into actions. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must understand in clear terms the difference between been in power and delivering on its multi-numbered promises and of discerning views of the opposition.
Constructive criticism must not be toyed or jungled as threat but given constructive consideration and looked in to with every seriousness as can be seen in advance democracies. And the opposition must not stop expressing its own view as seen that will better the society, having a strong alternative like the All Progressive Party (APC) is a good omen for those in power and the electorates as well, therefore our politicians must start to act in words and actions with positive decorum. The present PDP led government can redeem its failing acceptability by not only visibly striving to conduct more profound reforms to create a fair and just system, but equally crushing corruption that has given it a bad image, otherwise the opposition will benefit out of it and be able to win the hearts and minds of Nigerians and the international community, as its view may look more substantive and superior. Nigerians have heard enough of un ending promises.
Many in our urban, rural and remote villages have seen none of the benefits of reforms less of the much touted democratic dividends, access to education and health care delivery has remain a mirage, agriculture that should be a prime sector has been neglected as ever. Just as the questions has remind un answered so is the burden of finding our treasures.... the over 168 girls forcefully taken away in the many trucks driven on the roads and pathways within the territory called Nigeria. So where have the security gone? Are we effectively been instigated to forcing authorities to surrender control of their legitimate authorities? or is the government bickering within and cannot longer guarantee our security so that we can now take full responsibility of our own safety? We do hope Nigerians will not be pushed to seeking self defensive mechanisms which may adversely create watchdogs and self-policing as alternatives to the current failure of the policing system which the authority may view as contempt.
The government must adopt a new approach and strategy to confront these monsters and the numerous challenges of delivery good governance, a notable feature of such leadership prowess should aim at creating a platform for criticism, not praise, of the country's rulers. Under no circumstance should national interest be sacrificed, proactive strategies to information gathering, analysis and implementation must be upheld and giving equal-footed consideration, while doors for negotiation must not be closed as no nation has ever won any war at the battle field rather proper handling of negotiations proffer by peaceful means may eventually pave way for a win-win outcome. A new military thinking is desirable, which will require adaptation to modern warfare through technological advancement that will enhance national revival, protect national development and secure Nigeria a statue of continental power and greatness amongst nations. Any approach that will not bring back these beautiful treasures to their parents and homes safely is a failure. Decision making within the ranks of our military strategist must not abandon its assertive policy strategy at passioning a peaceful return of this young treasures of the nation the Chibok Kidnapped School girls safely.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of SaharaReporters
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