I watched the news today and was extremely dissatisfied with the situation in my country; Nigeria. I rarely do - but it has reached a point where I have to voice my concerns about the current ills of who we are and the consequences of what we do at whatever level or position we have.
From what I hear from sources on the ground - the decay within the military is quite bad. A hugely and grossly corrupt system where our selfish greed has relegated what should be priority over the last decade. These years of systemic decay have been attributed to the umbrella of "godfatherism" and intense tribalism, the absence of merit, corruption at the highest levels, the willie lynch syndrome - to mention but a few of the primary causes.
Unfortunately and quite sad to say - it is very unlikely that the Nigerian Army will win the war on Boko Haram - not to talk of the easily tagged "War on Terrorism". If the President ever thought any of the Defence or Army Chiefs he has on his round table - would achieve success - he needs to be waken up from his drooling sleep. Those to wake him from such slumber can't be anyone on his table. Probably the whispered shouts of those who require genuine change would. Back to the point - not unsurprisingly - this cumulative decay compounded over time. Indeed, the chickens of our past have come to roost.
A few of the current problems: is it the archaic weapon systems of lesser sophistication, the absence of a relief system - you are deployed to these conflict scenes (as one without a "godfather") - your most likely exit strategy is to desert or be killed or beheaded and dismembered. Unfortunately, in the latter - your corpse or parts thereof remains buried at the Maiduguri barracks - as long as you are a soldier or an officer below the rank of a Colonel.
We all talk about Boko Haram having financial sponsors at the highest levels of power - have we also considered why they also have information sponsors within the army or any of the enforcement services? Financial incentives to those in combat have been slashed by 70% while the balance is pocketed by who knows who. Outright greed to gain wealth with the sacrificial blood of others. Medical treatments are grossly inadequate to the soldiers. Ohhhh could their well being be of anyone's concern. The odd part of this is - our rich politicians and senior Government officials - do not hesitate to jump out of Nigeria at the slightest hint of an headache - at the expense of our dying medical facilities. We warmly welcome President Jonathan back to Nigeria from Germany!
I really do sympathize with the innocent and courageous uniformed few who daily lay their lives as victims of the unjust system. Many would name you cowards for deserting and running across borders with your tails in between your legs. But imagine the onslaught - the mouthpiece justifies soldiers fleeing to a tactical maneuver. We aren't all as lay.
I reiterate my pessimism. Do we think or believe we can ever win a war with such demotivated soldiers and a sick system? My biggest concerns not only rests on those being killed (who lose their loved ones) following our deliberate acts of "criminal wickedness" but on the fact that what we have done and will do - will bear consequences. Let's not all act surprised.. This is exactly how rebellions are created. An army unit mutinies, dissatisfied soldiers attempt to overthrow a legitimate Government, soldiers rebel and even normal individuals are indoctrinated into terrorists. It is high time, we changed our ways or in the near time - our unborn and teenage chickens will be home to roost.
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