fbpx
Opinion

Nigeria’s many problems: What is the way out? (1)

Nigeria’s problems are too numerous to mention; some are social, others cultural and religious, while few are purely the creation of the elite that have become more or less institutionalized that no matter the effort put forward by Government to remedy, the result is minimal or no impact at all.

Boko Haram, Niger-Delta militants, IPOB, Bandits, corruption, Armed robbery, kidnappings, Almajiri, child marriage, communal clashes, farmers-herders conflict, human trafficking, cultural decadence, decline in education standard, lack of patriotism, and the list is endless.

In all these vises however, I blame the society, meaning Nigerians. Here is why:

1. Boko Haram members are mainly sons and daughters of the Northeast. Apart from the military engagement with the terrorists, has there been any genuine effort by the communities in the three affected states to come together to seek or explore other ways of ending the menace? Former Adamawa Governor, Admiral Murtala Nyako, started the move, but he was almost assassinated and later illegally impeached with the alleged support of those who were benefiting from the crisis.

During the twilight days of the Jonathan administration, many in government, allegedly became dollar-millionaires in the name of facilitators of talks between the federal government, the terrorists group leaders and some leaders of the Lake Chad basin countries. The scandal blew open at the inception of this administration when it engaged our neighbours in talks and they spilled the beans.

Billions of Naira was also allegedly siphoned through over-inflation of arms supply contracts. Even some flamboyant men of God had been allegedly found to be enmeshed in the scandal. In 2014, a private jet belonging to a Nigerian clergy carrying over $9 million in cash was sized after landing in Johannesburg, South Africa.

There is still no reason why the combined effort of the military and talks will not solve the problem. The recent hyped effort by the military is commendable, but not enough to earn them accolades. They need to sustain the onslaught without a break. Just as it is important for the federal government to open window for talks.

2. Bandits have certainly taken over the Northwest. These gun-wielding Fulani bush-stock have generally tasted blood and they like it. With no education, western or Islamic, they are simply barbarians that cannot be reasoned with by anyone or the authorities.

These are people who would invade several villages overnight, just to avenge the killing of one of their own. But recently, they kill even for no reason other than to challenge authorities. In several interviews that I came across in the social media, they would claim that they invaded a village because it harbors a police informant or that they came after a vigilante man for vengeance, but rendering the whole community, big and small, as collateral damage. A second group is out there just for money through kidnapping.

Like the Northeast, economic and agricultural activities have also almost halted in the Northwest. From Kebbi to Katsina and from Birnin Gwari to Birniwa, nobody is safe anymore. That is why the President’s New year speech was welcomed by the majority of Nigerians. He promised to renergise and reorganize the nation’s security aparatus, a move that Nigerians look forward to.

(To be continued)

Back to top button

Discover more from Dateline Nigeria

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading