"a challenge becomes a problem when the solution bearer incubates the challenge"
The much anticipated day arrived. Aside the live media coverage of the inauguration event, all forms of mobile communication was completely shut down. GSM mobile operators had earlier received a directive from the office of the Federal Government to shut down their services within the Federal Capital Territory in a bid to reduce to the barest minimum mobile communication between suspected terrorists who capitalize on the medium also for communication. Good enough it indeed became a temporary solution running a long term problem as it simply turned out a save face measure to a national embarrassment. Though shortly outlived of its already served purpose of security immediately GSM service providers reactivated their networks.The loud bang was unmistakable as the peace of fun lovers at a beer parlor in the Zuba area, a satellite town of the Federal Capital Territory was violently disrupted, leaving two persons dead and a dozen more injured. Zaria town of Kaduna state and Maiduguri also experienced bomb attacks post the inauguration ceremony leaving an unconfirmed no of injured victims and about 20 dead .
The Zuba bombing immediately took the shine off the inauguration, as the bad news became the publicity choice of international media who were quick in gathering facts and figures. This of cause still echoed the failure of the Federal Government irrespective of what so ever mediocre security machinery which never extends to guaranty the safety of the ordinary citizen. At the senate plenary session held today May the 31st 2011, a motion was raised as to the best method of approach to tackle the strings of bomb blasts being experienced as their perpetrators have continued to remain elusive to security operatives as they operate unperturbed. Going by all said at the session, the light at the end of this dark tunnel indeed is afar off.
As we usher in the beginning of a new political dawn with tripple bomb blasts across the country, its more of a prayer than hope that a lasting solution to the impending danger lurking ahead will be a medicine before death.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
PRESIDENTIAL STONES
"The people of Africa, the people of Uganda, are entitled to a democratic government."
On the 26th of January 1986, Yoweri Museveni, made the statement above as he was sworn in as Ugandan President following a topple of the former government led by Tito Okello. 25 years later, the dream of democracy is still a desert mirage which has increasingly remained but dashed hopes in the heart of many. Its no different for the opposition Dr Kizza Besigye who was treated to a dish of pepper spray and beating by the police on the 28th of April 2011, during a walk to work protest over the high prices of fuel and food in the country. This wasn't the first time he'd be arrested and beaten by the police since the February 18th 2011 elections held in Uganda.
A careful look at the political history of Uganda clearly shows a lack of discipline by their leaders who believe that the country is a personal item, or to be run as a family business with them at the head of affairs making all the decisions. A government which proposes a constitutional amendment so that protesters will be jailed for at least 6 months after arrest instead of being released the same day.
With such knowledge in place it was with shock that our own President Goodluck Jonathan graced the swearing in ceremony of such a man as Yoweri Museveni, little wonder his convoy was stoned at as the people of Uganda had to express their disappointment. As the most populous African nation on the Continent the pride of being a Nigerian goes way beyond the name. A lot is being expected of Nigeria as we gradually have scored a place in the international community. It would have cost our President nothing to express his dissatisfaction with what's going on in Uganda by simply refusing to attend, or sending a delegate to represent him. His presence there only endorsed the wrong and made it look like he was comfortable with the present situation in Uganda. If we pay so much for political advisors to the presidency, then such wrong moves as these simply shows where some of the wastage of public funds go to.
On the 26th of January 1986, Yoweri Museveni, made the statement above as he was sworn in as Ugandan President following a topple of the former government led by Tito Okello. 25 years later, the dream of democracy is still a desert mirage which has increasingly remained but dashed hopes in the heart of many. Its no different for the opposition Dr Kizza Besigye who was treated to a dish of pepper spray and beating by the police on the 28th of April 2011, during a walk to work protest over the high prices of fuel and food in the country. This wasn't the first time he'd be arrested and beaten by the police since the February 18th 2011 elections held in Uganda.
A careful look at the political history of Uganda clearly shows a lack of discipline by their leaders who believe that the country is a personal item, or to be run as a family business with them at the head of affairs making all the decisions. A government which proposes a constitutional amendment so that protesters will be jailed for at least 6 months after arrest instead of being released the same day.
With such knowledge in place it was with shock that our own President Goodluck Jonathan graced the swearing in ceremony of such a man as Yoweri Museveni, little wonder his convoy was stoned at as the people of Uganda had to express their disappointment. As the most populous African nation on the Continent the pride of being a Nigerian goes way beyond the name. A lot is being expected of Nigeria as we gradually have scored a place in the international community. It would have cost our President nothing to express his dissatisfaction with what's going on in Uganda by simply refusing to attend, or sending a delegate to represent him. His presence there only endorsed the wrong and made it look like he was comfortable with the present situation in Uganda. If we pay so much for political advisors to the presidency, then such wrong moves as these simply shows where some of the wastage of public funds go to.
Monday, May 16, 2011
POST ELECTION VIOLENCE & THE WAY FORWARD
"the audacity of violence comes with the intensity of the crime"
With the April elections having come and gone, what should have passed as a smooth, free, fair and credible elections was marred by violent protests in several part of the country. Within days thousands of people were displaced in Kaduna, Bauchi and Kano. Reports of isolated cases in states like Niger, Zamfara and Gombe. The victory of Goodluck Jonathan, over Muhammad Buhari, didn't go down well with most of the northern supporters who used the opportunity to unleash untold violence on unsuspecting citizens. The ugly face of illiteracy once again raised its face as footages shown, clearly indicates the use of street thugs and urchins who have no understanding whatsoever the effects of their actions or why they are even being used to perpetrate such mayhem.
Ever since the April elections concluded, the perpetrators of the post election violence can be said to have gone scott free, as nothing has been done in way of investigations as to the roots of the problems. Not left out, the house of the CPC vice presidential candidate Pastor Tunde Bakare was also gutted by fire under mysterious and yet to be disclosed circumstances. Also the long list of NYSC Corp members who lost their lives and those who were maimed from several attacks during the post election violence.
Some of these actions go a long way in inciting unseen and uncalculated conflict as the hurt and anger felt by those who lost loved ones to the violence can only be appeased when justice is done.
Though four years to come, its about time the constitution makes provision for situations as these as regards to post election violence. Even more, with the knowledge of how this evil is being carried out as experienced once again in the April elections, a new strategy and measures that'll curtail and put in complete check the activities of those who sponsor and participate in such violence should be on the front burner as solutions are being proffered as to forestall a future occurrence.
With the April elections having come and gone, what should have passed as a smooth, free, fair and credible elections was marred by violent protests in several part of the country. Within days thousands of people were displaced in Kaduna, Bauchi and Kano. Reports of isolated cases in states like Niger, Zamfara and Gombe. The victory of Goodluck Jonathan, over Muhammad Buhari, didn't go down well with most of the northern supporters who used the opportunity to unleash untold violence on unsuspecting citizens. The ugly face of illiteracy once again raised its face as footages shown, clearly indicates the use of street thugs and urchins who have no understanding whatsoever the effects of their actions or why they are even being used to perpetrate such mayhem.
Ever since the April elections concluded, the perpetrators of the post election violence can be said to have gone scott free, as nothing has been done in way of investigations as to the roots of the problems. Not left out, the house of the CPC vice presidential candidate Pastor Tunde Bakare was also gutted by fire under mysterious and yet to be disclosed circumstances. Also the long list of NYSC Corp members who lost their lives and those who were maimed from several attacks during the post election violence.
Some of these actions go a long way in inciting unseen and uncalculated conflict as the hurt and anger felt by those who lost loved ones to the violence can only be appeased when justice is done.
Though four years to come, its about time the constitution makes provision for situations as these as regards to post election violence. Even more, with the knowledge of how this evil is being carried out as experienced once again in the April elections, a new strategy and measures that'll curtail and put in complete check the activities of those who sponsor and participate in such violence should be on the front burner as solutions are being proffered as to forestall a future occurrence.
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