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.
The Maidguri Monday Market is the biggest market in that city and shop owners are all Igbo’s but we lost everything in a twinkle of an eye. The frequent bombings and clashes of Book Haram have weighed down seriously on commercial and business activities in the city as many of us in business crumbled while many lost their families, lives; some fled the state.
Those who are perpetuating this killing under the guise of Boko Haram should bear in mind that no evil shall go unpunished; because “Jehovah is our strength” we must conquer. The word of God is our confidence because “His word is forever settled in heaven”. Again the book of Habakkuk 2:3 says for the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and will not lie though it tarry, wait for it, because it will surely come it will not tarry. As children of Israel, we were delivered from the house of bondage to the land that is flowing with milk and honey, we the Igbo’s will be soon be delivered from this bondage.
The movement of Biafra Reality In Life (BRIL) is to liberate Jehovah’s people from bondage in Nigeria through a revolution conducted under Jehovah God’s direction, and give them a land of freedom, progress and godly living. And our Strategy: is non violent, active persuasion that will involve the people, and lead to creating Biafra through Jehovah’s hand and not through United Nations Organization.
The creation of Biafra in the late 60s was for millions of people to take their destiny into their own hands. Ndigbo were forced to think of building a nation free from fear, bitterness and hate. Their sole aim is to develop their innate capabilities and rear their children in an atmosphere of peace and security.
We, Biafrans, opted for self-determination after a long period of heart-searching and after making desperate efforts to save the Federation of Nigeria from disintegration. Till date the plight of our people has not been alleviated and if our lives cannot be secured, let us (Ndigbo) in oneness finish what our dear leader (late Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu) could not finish. Let’s keep the fire burning, and not allow his effort to be in vain.
The average Nigerian does not feel like he is being represented anywhere in the country, whether at the Federal, State, Local Government, and certainly not by his or her elected member of the State House of Assembly, House of Representatives, or Senate.
In fact, most people do not know their representatives. Nor do most politicians understand that they are there in representative capacity.
As I said earlier, we cannot continue to be treated like refugees in our own country. They cannot continue to kill us like pigeons. We deserve a government that can protect us. If the government does not understand that we need its protection nor realize that its number one job is to provide security for all Nigerians, then we may as well think of parting ways.
It is only an eye witness like me that will understand what I am saying. No primary or secondary school is functioning in the North for one year now. Never in the history of Nigeria since the civil war has there been this much killing of Ndigbo.
Youths, they say, are the strength of every country but in Nigeria, they are being killed like goats every seconds of the day.
I escaped death in the hands of these vampires (Boko Haram) by special grace of God, and I promised my maker that I must testify and fight a good fight of peace in order for Igbos to be librated because it’s not by power nor by might, but by His grace. Investors, who have been doing business in the city for ages, are relocating their businesses due to the unending security challenges in the city.
Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress, so our eyes (Ndigbo) wait upon Lord our God, until that He have mercy upon us, for our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud. The lord that did not disappoint the Israelites will never disappoint us (Ndigbo).
Finally, I also do not see any hope coming even with the sack of Service Chiefs; thee problem goes beyond that; let us negotiate Nigeria’s future, after all the amalgamation has lasted for over 100 years and I agree with those who say it has expired. Let’s stop fooling with ourselves.
Comments