The female gender is strongly becoming a veritable factor that cannot be ignored in global affairs. Realising this indispensability are bureaucratic, military, and civil institutions. Even the religious institutions are not left out as the two major world religions – Christianity and Islam continue to contribute effectively in galvanizing the female gender in this direction. This granting and concession is captured vividly, and therefore encapsulated in the two Holy Books of the Quran and the Bible. In the Quran, women are important and play significant roles on the good morals taught in Islam. Maryam (Mary) is mentioned 70 times in the Quran. In the Bible, Mary (the mother of Jesus) is mentioned by name 12 times in the Gospel of Luke, 5 times in the Gospel of Matthew, 1 time in the Gospel of Mark, and 1 time in the Book of Acts – totalling 19 times.
THE ODDS AGAINST NIGERIAN WOMEN Are Nigerian women prepared to take over the leadership of the country from the men who have messed up things for the past several decades ?
The statistics : (a) International Women’s Day is currently being celebrated with calls for women to assume more and higher positions. But this year (2022) marks the 27th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration of 1995 without significant achievement from Nigerian women on the ’12 Strategic Goals’ including political participation. (b) Women make up about 50% of the world population yet they are never farely represented in governance, politics, etc in order to help meet the ever increasing complex chalenges of today’s society which men find difficult to overcome. (c) According to figures by the National Population Commission (NPC), and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria has a population of about 200 million people with approximately 51% males and 41% females. However, this figures have never translated in favour of women in either elective or appointive positions. (d) Out of the 109 Nigerian Senators in the present 9th assembly, there are only 7 women. (e) Just one (1) senator is a woman in the whole of the 19 Northern states of Nigeria. (f) There are only eleven (11) women out of the 360 Honourable members of the House of Representatives. (g) No woman has ever been elected president or vice president of Nigeria. (h) No woman has been elected as governor in the 4th republic. (i) The Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill (GEO) sponsored by Senator Abiodun Olujimi in 2016 is still lacking in teeth and bite. (j) On the global scene, Nigeria is very very poor on the Statistics table of women parliamentary representation. Out of 193 countries surveyed by the United Nations, Nigeria ranks 181 position. Rwanda is no.1 in the list, Namibia is no. 7, South Africa is no. 10, Kenya is no. 90, Niger is no. 122.
WOMEN AS BETTER LEADERS THAN MEN ? The argument as to whether women are better leaders than men depends on the side of the divide one is coming from. It is not even a matter of which side presents the most persuasive argument. The facts remains and reminds us that : ✓ No country is known to have gone to war where millions are killed during the reign of a woman. ✓ Nations have been known to experience stability, economic development, and industrial boom during the reign of women. ✓ As mothers, women are endowed with firmness, democratic qualities, sympathy, and empathy in the affairs of governance. Some of these women world leaders include Bandaranaike of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Indira Gandhi of India, Golda Meir of Israel, Margaret Thatcher of UK, Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, Joyce Banda of Malawi, Theresa May of UK, Angela Merkel of Germany, and Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar. Men on the contrary are rather schismatic, ruthless, insensitive, dictatorial, and draconic in nature, thereby leading their country to the brink, volatility, chaos, and bloody consequences like in the case of Adolf Hitler of Germany, Mussolini of Italy, Gaddafi of Libya, Saddam Hussein of Iraq, Omar El Bashir of Sudan, Assad of Syria, Augusto Pinochet of Chile, Idi Amin of Uganda, and Sani Abacha of Nigeria.
CONCLUSION Men have led Nigeria to a catastrophic bitter 30 month civil war. Men have dragged Nigeria to an unnecessary Boko Haram and fulani herdsmen unending atrocities. The menace of kidnapping and banditry is driven by men. Communal and tribal conflict is fuelled by men. Men have earned for Nigeria the infamous notorious no. 3 position on the world terrorism index. Men have mal administered Nigeria through all forms of Nepotism, corruption, political banditry. Men have squandered the Commonwealth of Nigeria. Is it not time to allow the women take the destiny of Nigeria to a better future ? 2023 beckons.
If the 2 world major religions Islam and Christianity elavates women to amiable pedestal, if the gender discrimination and divide in Nigeria’s political leadership landscape is more as a result of culture and religion, then, it therefore remains to be seen whether our religioucity is more of lip service, deception, and chauvinistic rather than anything that has to do with women’s brains.
INTRODUCTION Wearing the Hijab, Habit, Burqa, Niqab, and Veil by women is a tradition in ancient Greek culture that predates both Christianity and Islam. In this culture, respectable married women and widows wore a Habit, Burqa, or Hijab to indicate their humble background. “They were never to be seen in public exposing from their hair down to the shoulder, chest and rest of the body to the eyes of men other than their husbands as enshrined in the Assyrian Law from 1400 – 1100 BC” – Kwasniewski
This is the culture from where Christianity, and much later Islam arose. Interestingly, both Christianity and Islam embraced the use of these modes of dressing as a way of preserving the sanctity of womanhood. In view of this, both the Bible and Quran devotes verses that serve as indicators on how best the woman is expected to dress in public and in worship.
However, this mode of dressing is receiving attention, scrutiny, critical commentary, variety of perception, misconception, etc. These thoughts are conveyed through private and and public discussion, thus having impact on the fashion trend, legitimacy, legality, or otherwise of its continues use. Some have argued in support, while others do not.
This discourse and exposition is an attempt to interactively interrogate, expose, enlighten, understand, appreciate, and therefore bring to the fore the power and potency or otherwise of the Hijab, Habit, Burqa, Niqab, and Veil etc as a vehicle for the preservation of among others, the chastity of womanhood by Islam and Christianity.
It is for the realisation of this objective that some of the issues, concerns, perception, contestations, and questions which have likely been agitating the minds of the public are presented in order to provoke further discourse :
HYPOTHETICAL QUESTIONS (1) Why is the Muslim woman discriminated against for wearing the Hijab, Burqa, Niqab? (2) Is the use of the Habit, Hijab, and Veil by Christian women Biblical ?. Is the use of the Hijab, Burqa, Veil, and Niqab by Muslim women expressed in the Quran ? (3) If Jesus as the founder of the Christian religion and Mary his Mother was seen everywhere dressed in the Habit/Hijab as depicted in recorded historical archival documents, why the unpopularity of these modes of dressing in christendom ? (4) If Christianity embraced the Hijab/Habit long before the arrival of Islam, why is Islam pursuing the use of these modes of dressing with positive aggressive efforts and compliance than Christianity ? (5) Is there any similarity between the Christian woman dressed in the Habit and the Muslim woman dressed in the Hijab ? (6) To what extent has western fashion and civilization influenced the Christian woman mode of dressing ? (7) Why is Islam not adversely affected by western influence on their women fashion and dressing ? (8) If yes to (5) above, to what extent can Nigeria take advantage of the similarities to encourage inter religious dialogue ? (9) Can’t the use of the Habit, Hijab, Burqa, Veil, and Niqab be a helpful deterant to the menace of vices especially in this our society with high prevalence of promiscuity, sexual harassment, rape, sex violence against women and the girl child ? (10) Which would you rather prefer to see – your wife, daughter, sister, or mother dressed up in Hijab/Habit that covers from head down, or in exposed breasts, nipples, and buttocks in public ?
ORIGIN OF THE HIJAB/HABIT/BURQA/VEIL The findings of a reknowned historian revealed that statuettes depicting veiled priestesses dates as far back as 2500 BC. Elite women in Ancient Mesopotamia, and in the Byzantine, Greek, and, Persian empires wore the Hijab/Veil as a sign of respectability and high status of class, rank, and occupation in society. Female slaves and prostitutes were forbidden to veil, and faced harsh penalties if they did. “Wearing the Hijab/Habit/Veil was a mark of Aristocratic rank, respectability, and status symbol” – Dawson.
Prior to the advent of Christianity, respectable women in Greek society were expected to seclude themselves, wear clothing that concealed them from the eyes of “strange”men. Interestingly also, Roman and later in the Babylonian society, married Jewish women had to cover their hair.
Worthy of note is the postulation of a prominent researcher that “at the inception of Christianity the women continued to cover their heads with the Veil” – Fadwa El Guindi. This practice gained acceptance as it was widely enbibed by those early Christians around 200 CE.
According to two prominent Scholars, the Hijab or Veil had not only gained prominence but was gradually creeping into the fashion and culture of the people. In Rome for example, a Veil called “Lammeum” was the most prominent feature of the costume worn by the bride on her wedding day, they asserted. Christian communities in Israel/ Jerusalem, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, and other ancient Middle East regions popularised the Hijab which was the dress code for women in conformity with the prevailing culture. And by the time Islam eventually came, these modes of dressing which had long been inculturated into Christian communities was easy to adopt and adapt in the emerging Muslim communities. “The Habit, Hijab, and the Veil mode of dressing was adopted into Muslim Culture during the Arab conquest of the Middle East” – Spuler, and Garland. This therefore is the culture from which Christianity and much later Islam arose.
HABIT AND HIJAB IN CHRISTIANITY The use of these modes of dressing by Christian women / Christendom is as culturally historical in origin as it is Biblical. Bible verses support women to Veil and cover parts of their bodies : (1) “Any woman who prays or proclaims God’s message in public worship with nothing on her head disgraces……..” “If the woman does not cover her head…… she should….. but on a woman it is a thing of beauty” – 1Corinth 11:5-15. (3) “I also want the women to be modest and sensible about their clothes and to dress properly”. “………as it is proper for women who claim to be religious” – I Timothy 2 : 9 – 10. (3) The Veil is a fine linen used to cover whatever is sacred. It is no longer a mere human cultural tradition but it is willed by God. The veil is a sacred mystery. It is the sign of the sacredness of being Christian, the Holy of Holies -: (a) Exodus 25 : 8 – 9 (b) Exodus 26 : 31 – 33 (4) Wearing the Habit, Veil or Hijab by women in the Jewish culture is depicted in the Bible, and archival/historical documents and literature, having the Jerusalem women, and Mary the mother of Jesus as the symbols of purity,and chastity in womanhood. It is this physical distinguishing feature that contributed, and stood her out among women, and therefore honoured to be the custodian of the cherished ideals of womanhood. This was granted by God, and attested to through the Angel Gabriel – Luke 1:26 – 37 (5) The use of the Habit and Veil by the Rev. Sisters, and women in other Christian denominations serves as a continuation of that culture and Religious aspects of keeping/maintaining the purity and chastity of womanhood. This also reminds you and I that these Nuns have dedicated themselves to the service of God and humanity as they remain the “handmaid of God” – Luke 1:38-39 (6) The Habit, Hijab, or Veil is meant to hide what may attract a man’s eyes to the Nuns and other Religious women. This protects them from drawing inappropriate attention to their bodies, and also to indicate that they are “not available” to the intrigues of the secular world.
ISLAM AND HIJAB, BURQA, VEIL, NIQAB Hijab or Burqa etc is usually worn by Muslim women and usually covers the head, shoulders, and most parts of the body in conformity with Islamic standards in order to maintain their privacy from unrelated males outside the woman’s immediate family. The Encyclopedia of Islam and Muslim World states that “modesty in the Quran concerns the woman’s gaze, gait, garments, and genitalia”.
According to three prominent Islamic Scholars and Authors – Karen Armstrong, Reza Aslan, and Leila Ahmed the stipulation of the Hijab/Veil were intended to maintain the inviolability of the Muslim woman. This was strictly observed by the Prophet Muhammad on his wives. These scholars/authors argued that the term “darabat al – hijab” (taking the veil) was used synonymously and interchangeably with “becoming Prophet Muhammad’s wife”.
Aslan’s writings suggests that Muslim women started to wear the Hijab/Veil to emulate Prophet Muhammad’s wives who are revered as “Mothers of the Believers” in Islam. Aslan goes further to state that “there was no tradition of veiling until 627” in the Muslim community. These three Islamic Scholars argue to prove that Veiling or Hijab did not originate from Islam.
However, Islam today and in the past is seen to have uplifted the dignity and morality of womanhood in the Hijab much more than in the culture from which the Hijab originated, and even in Christianity which first embraced this mode of dressing as depicted in archival/historical documents in Mary and the women of Jerusalem.
Interestingly, Islamic guidelines and dress codes that support the use of the Hijab/Veil are found in texts of the Hadith and are derived from the verses (ayahs) referencing Hijab in the Quran.
Of the more than 6,000 verses in the Quran, about half a dozen refer specifically to the way women should dress or walk in public – for example : (1) Surah 24 tells women to “guard their private parts and draw their Khimar (Hijab) over their breasts, and not display beauty except to their husbands, ……..” – Quran 24 : 31 (2) In Surah 33 Prophet Muhammad is commanded to ask his family members and other Muslim women to wear outer garments when they go out so that they are not harassed – “O Prophet ! enjoin your wives, your daughters, and the wives of true believers that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when outside) that is most convenient that they may be distinguished and not be harassed” – Quran 33 : 59
THE ARGUMENTS, THE CONTESTATIONS, AND THE CONVERGENCE From the foregoing, it is indicative of the fact that the Hijab, Habit, Veil, Burqa, Niqab exist in both Christianity and Islam. However, some issues of conflict arising from some Muslim women preference for the Hijab over the approved dress code of their profession in many societies and regions seemed to have attracted unnecessary notoriety to Islam. These and many other isolated incidents associated with the use of the Hijab had unfortunately culminated in some kind of ban or partial ban placed on the use of the Hijab by Muslim women in some western and American countries. Interestingly, Mary the mother of Jesus who is one of the symbols of the Hijab and the Habit, as the case may be, exists both in Christianity and Islam. However, Islam is seen to have uplifted the dignity, morality, and the widespread use of the Hijab in womanhood much more than the culture from which the Hijab and Habit originated, and even Christianity that first embraced the dress code.
WHY IS ISLAM IN THE FOREFRONT ? (1) While the fashion of wearing the Habit/Hijab by women in Christendom is no longer revered nor fashionably in vogue, and seems to be abandoned and left to only the Catholic Rev. Sisters (Nun) and some white garment Churches; Islam on the other hand is vigorously encouraging/enforcing this dress code for their women, girls and children. (2) No doubt the credit for the positive aggressive Islamic drive on this dress code must first be given to the Prophet Muhammad and his wives for showing/leading the way. (3) Another contributory factor to the sustenance and hence the popularity of the Islamic Hijab dress code is the fast growing Islamic fashion industry which is embraced by every Islamic woman, girl, and the girl child. (4) The Muslim population is the fastest growing in the world and so is the number of women using, and thereby making more popular the Hijab. (5) The boom in business and marketing in the Hijab fashion industry is catching up like wild fire thereby making textiles and fabric manufacturers keep smiling to the banks. Faegheh Shirazi (2010), an Islamic fashion scholar explains the reasons for this growth to include the huge increase in the lucrativness of the global Muslim fashion industry. According to her, “Milliyet”, a Turkish Newspaper research report in 2010 estimated the global Islamic clothing market in Turkey alone to be worth $2.9 billion for that year. Still according to that research, the Hijab fashion was expected to rake in $488 billion in 2019 alone.
CONCLUSION From the foregoing, it is without doubt Hijab, Habit, and Veil exist in both Christianity and Islam. While the fashion has occupied the backseat in Christendom, Islam on the other hand is seen to have uplifted the dignity and morality of the Hijab, Habit, and Veil etc more than the culture from which the fashion originated, and even Christianity which first embraced it.
Lamentably, it may be argued that westernization is largely having an overbearing “negative” influence on some Christian ideals especially the mode of dressing.
Interestingly however, the biggest lesson that we may take home from all this presentation and argument on the veracity or otherwise of the Hijab, Habit, Burqa, Niqab, and Veil is the onenes, and unity of purpose that these modes of dressing will bring to a rather schismatic and polarized society like Nigeria.
If Christianity and Islam, the two major world religions both share the culture, religious, beauty, and use of the Habit, Hijab, and Veil as a symbol of dignity, purity, and Chastity for womanhood, are we therefore not much more alike than different ?. As our fashion taste, tribe, culture, upbringing, and perception differ, so our religious practices, doctrines, and inclination. However, we are one people, one destiny, one love, and one God. The Habit, Hijab and Veil rightly represents this common heritage.
It therefore remains to be seen whether Nigeria will take advantage of these similarity to foster the much needed unity between Christians and Muslims or miss the opportunity.
ABSTRACT Destiny launched and exposed him at the public square arena where he contested and won through public demand by staging and showcasing his persona that connected to the people at the most primal level. Although viewed by many as controversial, if Bishop Joseph Danlami Bagobiri had one thing going for him, it was the ability to strike the right musical chord, at the right time, producing a melodic symphony for the listening ear and the right dancing steps.
INTRODUCTION Some call him the people’s Bishop, the voice of the down trodden, the fearless one, the disciplinarian. Others refer to him as the good shepherd, a man of great sacrifice and benevolence, the thorn in the flesh of the unjust, the protector of the poor, less privileged and vulnerable, an apostle of non violence. He is a historical figure, radical activist and reformer, social critic, equal rights advocate for both Muslims and Christians, a freedom fighter, and a detribalised Nigerian. Bagobiri was a man that spoke truth to both religious and civil authority. He was the ‘liberation theologian’ who held the Bible on the right hand and the ‘weapons’ of political and economic liberation on the left.
MANIFESTATION OF BAGOBIRI’S RADICAL DISPOSITION Born in Gwong (Kagoma) Southern Kaduna to the famous Pa Bagobiri family of 5 wives and 27 children, young Joseph grew up into the protective arms of his mothers, senior brothers, and sisters. Joseph Bagobiri began to exhibit traces of independent mind, thoughts and actions at a very young age. It initially looked like the usual exhibition of youthful exuberance. As time went by the traits were assuming such situations that were akin to notorious pear group influence. Some of these traits and actions were promptly subdued, and sometimes ended up in cover-ups by his older brothers and sisters who usually shielded him from the punishment of their disciplinarian father. As young Bagobiri advanced from one age group to another, he became bolder, more articulate, and assumed the position of the defender of the not so strong-willed among his pear group. Even at secondary school, he endeared himself to his juniors and classmates who found an umbrella of succor in his pep up talks, counseling, and motivation for self achievement/accomplishment.
Part of his independent thoughts, growing strong views and stance on issues he felt strongly about especially those that are protectionist and wellfarerist to his peer group. At one of such protectionist and adventurist incidents, youthful Joseph Bagobiri and his ‘gang’ of youths employed the ‘Robin Hood’ style within the vicinity of the village community. This action, according to a family source pushed Pa Bagobiri to take his bow and arrow to shoot down his son. Sensing the rage and fury of his old man, Danlami, as he was fondly called by his father escaped to exile from the entire Kagoma village for some couple of months.
Coming from this background, and in a country ravaged by social, tribal and economic inequality, injustice, hunger, deprivation, youth restivenes/unemployment, and killings, it’s just right to understand Bagobiri’s brand of frustration and his resultant radicalization.
ERECTION AND CONSECRATION OF BAGOBIRI AS THE CATHOLIC BISHOP OF KAFANCHAN DIOCESE The erection of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan in 1995 witnessed the consecration of Joseph Danlami Bagobiri as her first Bishop. Born in 1957, Bagobiri, after barely 12 years as a priest became a Bishop, one of the fastest in recent memory. Kafanchan diocese is essentially an agrarian, rural, with no entrepreneurial, and infrastructural incentives for investment. Bagobiri inherited few parishes, poorly built Churches, a few poorly trained clergy, and a poor capital base. No doubt the young Bishop was overwhelmed by the enormity of the array of challenges but rather than remain frustrated, Bagobiri became positively aggressive, radical and revolutionary in his approach to not only religious, but also political and economic matters. He had to ‘stoop to conquer’.
As at 2017, Joseph Danlami Bagobiri had raised the profile of Kafanchan diocese to the admiration of many, with about 35 parishes, about 100 best trained clergy, a minor seminar, major seminary, a girl’s college, co-educational college, a pastoral center, a best selling monthly newspaper, and much more that the Diocese compares favourably to other older ones. Who else could achieve this feat within such a short period if not a radical reformer.
OTHER BAGOBIRI’S APPOINTMENTS/ASSIGNMENTS (1) Ordained Catholic priest – 1983 (2) Education secretary and Vocations of Kaduna Archdiocese (3) Vicar Delegate for Kano 1991 – 1995 (4) Pioneer Bishop of Kafanchan diocese – October 21st, 1995 (5) Education secretary Catholic Bishop’s Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) (6) Pioneer Chairman for Mission Dialogue Department of the CBCN (7) Chairman Governing Council of the Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA) Port Harcourt – (Two term) (8) Chairman Inter Religious Dialogue for Association of Episcopal Conference Anglophone West Africa. (9) Leader of the 6 Man delegation of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to the 2014 National Conference. (10) Awardee of the Member of the Federal Republic ( MFR)
BAGOBIRI’S INTERVENTION DURING FULANI/RELIGIOUS CRISIS At the peak of the Genocidal killings by Fulani heardsmen in Southern Kaduna between 2016 to early 2018, Bagobiri was unrelenting in his efforts to assist not only the vulnerable natives but also the Hausa settlers caught up in the cross fire. He was a rallying point and a voice for the people while Governor El Rufai, a Hausa/Fulani was allegedly accused of being biased. A fall out from the crisis is the championing by the Kafanchan Catholic Diocese of the release of a figure of 800 lives lost, many unaccounted for, property worth #5 billion destroyed, care of the IDP’s. Other related issues was the closure of educational institutions with threats of relocation out of Southern Kaduna, alleged arrest of opinion leaders of Southern Kaduna, etc by the government. It therefore became apparent that there was no love lost between Bishop Joseph Danlami Bagobiri and governor Nasir El Rufai, as the battle line was drawn.
THE AHIARA DIOCESE/EPISCOPAL SAGA (1) The Crux of the matter. Rev. Fr. Peter Ebere Okpaleke was appointed the Bishop of Ahiara Diocese in Anambra state on December 7, 2012 by his Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. This appointment was openly opposed by some Ahiara indigenous clergy, religious, and the laity who wanted a son of the soil as their Bishop. When Pope Francis ascended the papacy on 13/3/2013 he reaffirmed Okpaleke’s appointment, and on May 21st, 2013 Rev. Fr. Peter Ebere Okpaleke was finally consecrated as the Bishop of Ahiara Diocese, but the ceremony was conducted in Owerri outside of Ahiara Diocese.
Bishop Okpaleke was never allowed by the opposition group to take possession of the Diocese. He was quickly moved right from the venue of the Episcopal Ordination to Awka where he remained for more than 5 years till his resignation on Ash Wednesday 14th February, 2018. (2) Vatican summoned warring factions to Rome to resolve the crisis : Pope Francis summoned to Rome the clergy, religious, the laity, and other interest groups in one of the numerous attempts to resolve and settle this feud. In this Rome meeting, they reached agreement to accept the Pope’s appointment of Okpaleke. This peace accord was brockered on 9th June, 2017. However, not sooner had the returning Rome delegation settled foot on Nigerian soil than that peace agreement collapsed like a pack of cards.
BAGOBIRI’S ROLE IN THE AHIARA CRISIS While this Episcopal scandal lasted, Joseph Danlami Bagobiri was the only Bishop known to have openly and severally opposed to this appointment. He cited among others the manner of approach employed by the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria (of which he was a member) towards solving the problem. Bagobiri insisted that the Ahiara people should have been carried along in the decision making process.
CATHOLIC CHURCH QUERY’S BAGOBIRI Bishop Bagobiri’s activism on the Ahiara saga did not go down well with the Catholic Bishops as it earned him a reprimand, reporting him to Rome and demanding an apology. In obedience, Bagobiri apologized, but re-iterated his position on the matter, thereby making the whole issue a conundrum for his fellow CBCN.
DEFIANT BAGOBIRI Bishop Joseph Danlami Bagobiri in defiance of Rome kept up with his fiery approach to the Ahiara saga. One of his public statements on this imbroglio was on 1st December, 2017 at a public Mass in Takkad village near Kagoro barely 3 months to his death. In this Mass he said – “Give Ahiara a bishop close to or who understands them.” He continued – “The Ahiara saga could have been avoided or resolved long ago if the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria had been courageous enough as a united force to follow the path of truth and justice by listening to the aggrieved party, and presenting their case positively, or in an emphatic manner.”
Joseph Bagobiri also declared – “People of Ahiara feel surcharged or shortchanged, excluded, or denied their rights to exercise a consultative vote on the discerning process.” The fiery Bishop was not done yet – “Non of them was contacted on the appointment, they should not be dictated to, not according to due canonical process, and not submission to blind obedience.”
PEOPLE’S VIEWS ABOUT BAGOBIRI’S STYLE OF ACTIVISM No doubt some of Bagobiri’s actions made him to be viewed as a radical activist. To some he was an enigma, a hard nut to crack. To others he was a man to love, yet some hated to love him. Whatever your assessment of Bagobiri, you may be right, you may be wrong. And if you are sitting on the fence, you may guess. Your guess may be right, or wrong, or as good as mine.
Whatever your views about Joseph Bagobiri, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah’s assessment, who incidentally as a young priest encouraged Joseph Danlami Bagobiri to proceed to the Major Seminary in 1977 captures my feelings. During Bagobiri’s funeral Mass in Kafanchan on Thursday 15th March, 2018, Bishop Kukah as the homilist put it succinctly – “Bagobiri was a man of strong convictions and very often, his convictions tended to blind him to other options, but he was deep down an honest man.” “……we thank God that it all ended so well for him.”
HIS SICKNESS A revolutionary, workaholic, fearless, and uncompromising, Bagobiri was never afraid to speak truth to power. This human machine was beginning to show signs of frailty caused by sickness. He had to be flown out of Nigeria to an Italian hospital for medical treatment, and after 6 months of medical care, Bagobiri returned to Nigeria on 26th January, 2017 to jubilant crowds cut across various denominations with elaborate welcome back ceremony. The good Shepherd was back. Bagobiri was never a coward, and he never feared death. He must have been a good student of William Shakespeare who tells us in Julius Caeser that “cowards die many times before their death.”
Joseph Danlami had surmounted many difficult obstacles during his 61 years sojourn on earth. However, this sickness proved more tasking for the ‘people’s Bishop’ who displayed an uncommon tenacity to hang on to life and a determination to stay alive for the sake of his people.
DEATH, THE ULTIMATE END Without any doubt, Bishop Bagobiri put his life on the front line on several occasions. And when death finally came calling on 27th February, 2018, this advocate for the emancipation of the people had no life guard, and no advocate to adjudicate on his behalf.
Bagobiri remained controversial even at death, especially to those who feared him, and those who revered him. If not, why did the government of Kaduna State not send a condolence message and tribute for publication in the funeral program. It must be stated that Bagobiri’s reformation drive, radical disposition and activism, hard work, fame, and notoriety not only niched him closer to the hearts and minds of both the Muslim and Christian community In Southern Kaduna, but also endeared him to all Nigerians.
BAGOBIRI’S BURIAL Well over 800 condolence messages / tributes were reported to have been sent to Kafanchan diocese from across the world but just 121 of this whole lot were published in the program brochures. As expected, the outpouring was overwhelmingly unprecedented so much so that the high quality burial program had to be packaged in 2 volumes of 153 pages printed in the best quality production. Dignitaries from religious faiths, governments, foreign embassies, corporate orgazations, NGO’s, Royalty, the academia, and of course the Vatican were among the tumultuous crowd that turned out in their numbers to bid farewell to the people’s Bishop.
Joseph Danlami Bagobiri gave his all, and the people gave him quality attention even at death. And then, God told him that he had run the full distance in a good race, and should come over to receive his crown of victory. Though dead, Bishop Joseph Danlami Bagobiri lives on. If by any mistake the church gives me that singular opportunity to write the epitaph for Bagobiri, this will be it : HERE LIES THE WARRIOR.
Emmanuel Gandu St. Enda’s Catholic Church, Zaria emmanuelgandu@yahoo.com October 2018
The legislature is a crucial arm in a democracy. Typically, democracies operate a bicameral legislature i.e. a legislature comprising two chambers; an upper chamber (The Senate) and a lower chamber (House of Representatives). A bicameral legislature guarantees equal representation, especially for minorities and the disadvantaged.
The senate checks & prevents hasty and ill considered passage of bills, ensures bills are properly debated, corrects faulty legislation and creates room for more politically & administratively experienced people skilled in the act of law making to make meaningful contributions to the society.
In addition to his legislative duties, a senator represents the interest of his people and lobbies for benefits and favourable outcomes on their behalf.
Southern Kaduna Senatorial District is inundated with several challenges among which are primarily; insecurity, unemployment and lack of amenities that make life meaningful for residents.
Southern Kaduna needs an energetic, proactive and emphatic man skilled in the art of negotiating. A man with networks and acquaintances across the country to adequately secure meaningful legislation that will tackle the challenges faced by residents of Southern Kaduna.
Every society needs people-oriented leaders and Honourable Sunday Marshall Katung (SMK) has proven beyond reasonable doubt that he takes the interest of his people to heart. He has garnered vast experience in the corporate world, governance and legislature as listed below:
In the corporate world, he was a stickler for due process, professionalism and objectivity.
As a commissioner, he developed and implemented people-oriented policies.
As a member Federal House of Representatives, he initiated and sponsored motions which include: − A motion that the HoR receives the report of the bill for an act to establish the Nigeria Peace Corps (NPC) to empower, develop and provide alternative empowerment for the youths to facilitate peaceful community service, nation-building and for other related matters.
− A motion investigating tremours and earthquake at Jaba LGA, and setting up special intervention for those affected
− A motion to revive the textile industries in Nigeria with particular reference to Kaduna/Kano axis.
− A bill to establish The National Security Trust Fund for the provision of Military and Security hardware, infrastructure and technology for security agencies in Nigeria and for related matters.
− Advocating for sons and daughters of Southern Kaduna whose employments were wrongfully terminated.
As a believer in youth empowerment, he kept an eye for employment opportunities, grants and scholarship opportunities for members of his constituents and maximised the opportunities whenever they came up.
As a philanthropist, he believes education is the key to unlocking one’s potentials and has sponsored youth of Southern Kaduna to seek knowledge and empowerment via scholarships.
Sunday Marshall Katung (SMK) is a dynamic leader and visionary that can represent the people of Southern Kaduna in The Senate. The people of Zangon Kataf/Java Federal Constituency who have been endeared to him during his first term in the Blue Chamber can attest to the fact that he has got what it takes to fight for his people at the Federal Level.
Sunday Marshall Katung (SMK) has been greatly disturbed and affected by the insecurity within Southern Kaduna and has already drafted legislative agenda to tackle the situation.
Sunday Marshall Katung is a firm believer in innovation and is highly motivated to try new methods and ideas to carry Southern Kaduna forward and motivate and inspire those around him.
To the people of Southern Kaduna Senatorial District, Sunday Marshall Katung deserves your vote to serve you better in the years ahead.
Let us bring peace, equity, development and good governance to Southern Kaduna.
Cultural Activism is a thing, and I prefer to see myself as one. I am not just from Southern Kaduna, but I was born at the heart of it, so I understand these people and their plights, and the need to make their cries heard. It is deeper than what you see on the surface, most especially if you are not from Kaduna or Southern Kaduna as the case may be.
Over a year ago, I itemized the leadership structure of the past administrations in Kaduna since the year 1999, and everything was all good, until after the death of Governor Yakowa. Remember the bandits-advocate Sheikh referred to him as an “Infidel” and promised that no Christian would ever rule Kaduna state again. Perhaps most of you are just getting to know who Sheikh Gumi is; we have known him all our lives.
In 2011/12, there was a tape of an Imam preaching in a mosque threatening to kill Southern Kaduna youths that were in Zaria. He threatened those in A.B.U, FCE, Nuhu Bamali and all institutions in Zaria. In his words, “Arnan Kudancin Kaduna, za mu yi masu yankan rago!” (Infidels of Southern Kaduna we shall slaughter like rams). I was staying off campus then, and my house was just opposite a mosque. It was traumatizing no matter how much we acted like we were not scared.
Under Governor Ahmed Muhammed Makarfi in 1999 after the return to civilian rule, the governor was a Muslim from Kaduna North while his deputy, Steven Shekari was a Christian from Southern Kaduna. The Secretary to the State Government Felix Hassan Hyat was a Christian from Southern Kaduna, while the Chief of staff to the governor was Alhaji Nuhu Sani Ibrahim, a Muslim from the other side. With the demise of Steven Shekari, governor Makarfi was magnanimous enough to appoint Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa as his deputy. Sir Patrick was a Christian, from Southern Kaduna.
In May 2007, Namadi Sambo, a Northern Kaduna Muslim emerged as the governor of Kaduna state and Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa continued as his deputy. The secretary to the state government was another Christian from Southern Kaduna, Waje yayock. The Chief of Staff to Namadi Sambo was Alhaji Audi Muhammed, a Muslim from Northern Kaduna.
In 2010, following the death of the then president of Nigeria, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Namadi Sambo was appointed the Vice President of Nigerian. He was magnanimous enough to relinquish his position of a governor to his Deputy Ibrahim Yakowa, who had Muktar Ramalan Yero as his Deputy a Muslim from Northern Kaduna. Aboki Galadima from Southern Kaduna was his Chief of staff while Samaila Yakawada became the Secretary to the State Government.
Governor Partick Yakowa died in a helicopter accident in 2012 and his Deputy Yero became the governor of the state. Yero toured a different path and was booted out of office in the 2015 when his policies were becoming outrightly biased against the Southern Kaduna people. He picked a Southern Kaduna Christian as deputy while his Chief of Staff and Secretary to the state government Yahaya Aminu and Ishiaq Dan’mahawaye were Muslims from Northern Kaduna.
The people saw hope in Nasir El Rufai being that he has a track record of excellence. They pitched their tents with the APC and he was elected the governor with Architect Barnabas a renowned politician from the region as his running mate. Hadiza Bala Usman, a Southern Kaduna Muslim became his Chief of Staff, before she was appointed the Deputy governor. She was replaced with Bashir Saidu, and then Muhammed Sani. They are all Muslims.
I am not a Christian and do not think I will ever become one. The day I opened up to my family, almost every one of them got some high blood pressure, but guess what? I am a product of the Church and will continue to speak for it. Yes, I do go to Church, but I don’t believe.
Kaduna state is shaped by the two cultures of Islam and Christianity, and one should not downplay the progress of the other. Islam and Christianity defines everyone in that state, where in facts, they are at par with each other in terms of population. Kaduna state is not ready for secular discussions yet, and if religion must be brought into it, make sure the two parties are carried along.
Apart from Borno state, Kaduna state, and Southern Kaduna have been at the receiving end of these unprovoked and unwarranted killings.
The Adara people since 2013 have lost over a thousand people to the hands of Fulanis who are Muslims Those carrying out the killings are people who practice Islam. The governor is a Muslim. Has never visited the scenes of these attacks. He carries out his developmental duties in Northern Kaduna mostly, and if in Southern Kaduna, it is communities dominated by our Muslim brothers.
Don’t tell me how to feel about this, because you are not in my shoes!
Before reading this opinion of mine, it is imperative we look at the elementary semantics of the word “NARCISSIST”.
NARCISSIST is a mental personality disorder characterized by a sense of grandiosity, the need for attention, admiration, and a lack of empathy. It often accompanies other psychiatric disorders and can be difficult to treat. Most often than not, this disorder needs the attention of a clinical psychologist or therapist to treat.
A careful study at the word NARCISSIST viz a viz its personality traits. Out of such traits advance, two are outstanding for me below;
1) Grandiosity: feeling superior to everyone and exaggerated sense of importance.
2) Lack of Empathy : lacking ability to care about the emotional, psychological feelings, needs or experiences of others.
At this point, the quitessential question to pose is? Does this mental disorder explained abinitio classically describe a major personality in kaduna state?
Your sound judgement is as good as mine!!!
Let’s proceed!
Kaduna state of today with all it’s scamillus beautiful projects and edifice all around has on the other side of the coin become the epicenter of agony and pain. You can’t define hardship and poverty without making reference to the practical situation facing the people residence in the state. Pundictic oratory would perhaps or rather describe the condition in the state as synonymous with that of 19th century famine of China.
A state were government takes stringent policy overnight without taking holistic cognizance of the social-economy implications of such decision. Obviously, the sycophants in his government doesn’t tell him the truth or he doesn’t listen to them, the two either suffices.
People resident in the state has been force to become Marathon foot champions resulting from total ban of cyclists and time-ban of commercial tricycle.
A friend told me how his aged and sick mother treked about 8 killometers, she was latter hospitalized. Haba Mallam Nasiru….making a policy that would/has significantly affected the transportation of people ought to have had an AFTERTHOUGHT looking at the consequencial implications.
Not talking about those who’s houses and business shops demolished without compensation. What of those who used their hard-earned money or gratituity to painstakingly build their houses? Where will they start from?
With all the moribund industries and state of coma SME’s leading to a skeletal economy activities in the state, the state is said to be the 6th highest in IGR INTERNAL GENERATED REVENUE. I mean, this goes to show the predicated suffering of the people in the state. A state with little or no industrial or economic activities generating revenue more than an industrial-economic viable state like kano state, even economy experts can’t give a logical, valid and fair explanation to this revenue generation in kaduna except that it is taken from the masses in the state.
I can imagine the number of SME’s in the state that has fold-up, just imagine the number of agents of terminals (POS) that has losed their Businesses due to the shot-down of mobile statelite, I mean, this business alone had engage a good number of youths untill the shot-down of network. What of those doing motor cycle business? I wonder what magic those with such businesses with families have done to feed their dependant lately. The frank question to ask is? How many men with weak minds will absorb the pressure of not providing for their families without engaging in quasi crime?
Am dumbfounded but rather embarrassed that in kaduna state Nigeria communication is not use as a form of intelligence gathering. Network and Spy satellites are valuable tools to track-down criminal activities in western clime, but, here in kaduna Nigeria, Network satellites Outage are seemingly use to truncate criminal element activities.
What a Counter-productive strategy!
I Akin this outdated and barbaric security strategy to taking one step forward and two step backwards with same footing by extention throwing the baby with the bath water.
Perhaps, if this security strategy would have completely address the insecurity in the state it would have been a different issue to discuss another day. Innocent and law abiding people of the state still get killed and kidnapped. The Terrorist may be ahead to use satellite phones or other device since we are in 21st century to out-smart the primitive-intelligence put in place by Nasiru’s government to continue their nifarous activities.
As a crime expert, I make bold to say that the we can’t combat and win this war technologically and sociologically which seems to be the only viable tool that has stood the test of 21century practices in curbing criminal elements.
A government that has refuse to swallow and work with the bitter truth being told to them by state lovers but rather prefer sweet lies from their hungry worshippers. No wonder, they wouldn’t hesitate to keep behind-bars those who are not economical with the truth to them.
A Human Rights Lawyer, Barrister Gloria Ballason has described the late Dr Obadiah Mailafia, former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria as an extraordinary human.
In a soul touching tribute, the advocate of justice and good governance said Mailafia has ascended to the heavens where servants of God reside forever.
The tribute reads;
“For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep.”
My dearest O.M., now that was a courageous life! You put it all out there – heart, soul, sweat, blood, faith, excellence… everything! What a life of extraordinary commitment, brilliance, intelligence and then some more.
Like the patriarchs gone before us, you chose to share and stand against the sufferings of the innocent rather than the fleeting pleasures and corruptible treasures of this earth. Like David you have served the purpose of God for your generation and have now fallen…asleep.
You will now ascend to the place where kings, paupers, victors, villains, tyrants …all go! But in your case, there is a clear difference:
You are going home to a city whose builder and maker is the Just one. A Book will be opened and you will see the record of every act of sacrifice and your golden acts of courage and convictions against injustice.
You will stand before the Righteous Judge O.M. and having listened intently to your wife about your last moments, I know you will stand unashamed.
So let me thank you for the invaluable gift of your friendship and for obeying the Creation mandate to be fruitful, multiply and replenish the earth for indeed, you are leaving behind a more replenished world than you met it. You have left behind in your mortal body indelible marks and our generations will follow in them and the trail of the dust you leave behind.
Your works as a peerless international civil servant, ivy league scholar, writer of writers, advocate of truth, lifetime pursuer of excellence will continue to light and inspire us. WE WILL NOT STOP until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a never failing stream.
Lokaci ya kai. Dr. Obadiah Mailafia , ka sauka lafiya ka kuma idar min da sakon gaisuwa da alheri ga mahaifi na, my beloved dad who left five days before you and who I am sure will show you round those golden streets.
Goodbye dearest big brother, friend, mentor and kindred spirit. I will see you on some bright and cloudless morning. Thank you OM. THANK YOU!!!
Federal Government’s Double Standards In Law Enforcement Is Terrorism
HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) is by this media event raising alarm to the World that the lives of HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS who advocate on a consistent basis, the need for decisive actions against terrorists to be adopted by the Federal Government of Nigeria are under threats in Nigeria.
Federal Government has deliberately undermined the functionality of institutions set up to tackle insecurity.
All the armed security forces are now diluted and sabotaged. Gentlemen and ladies, Economist Magazine is factually accurate and very professional on its reportage on Nigeria in their current edition. The criticisms by federal government and Army targeted at the British Newspaper is pig headed. Army and federal government know that what the Economist alleged are factual. This is because there are documentary evidence to show that there are molested saboteurs within the military who are undermining the war on terror. Many of such found out have been court marshalled. Many who are yet to be found out may still be there. Why is the Army angry that Economist stated the obvious? Corruption is beyond human imagination now and the President wine and dine with major accused persons who are being prosecuted by EFCC but decided to cross carpet to the APC. The other day the EFCC CHAIRMAN COLLAPSED OR SO IT SEEMED INSIDE ASO-ROCK ON THE DSY FEMI FANI KAYODE WAS DELIVERED TO APC INSIDE THE VILLA BY THE MAN WHO ABANDONED HIS STATE AS THE EKECTED GOVERNOR TO PLAY TGE ILLEGAL ROLE OF EXECUTICE CHAIRMAN of APC. So why is the government that Economist said what is obvious?
Security institutions now work like sectional security outfits set up to attack those who don’t share religious and ethnic affiliations with heads of security services. Federal Ministry of justice is run like a tribal machinery of the Fulani.
We are raising this alarm that our lives as advocates of social justice are under threats because key government officials do not believe that terrorists should be decisively dealth with.
We want to bring the attention of the World that the Central government works to undermine the principles of Rule of Law and the centrality of the sanctity of the Constitution.
The government has taken the practice of double standards in law enforcement to a dangerous levels.
Examples are:- the case of Nnamdi Kanu, Sunday Igboho vis-à-vis the armed Fulani militia unleashing terror and violence all over the nation with North west as the major focus.
The federal government kidnapped Nnamdi Kanu allegedly in Kenya over charges of treasonable felony.
The reason the government is given is that he made broadcasts from UK threateningfire and Brimstone from far away United Kingdom.
The government sent out DSS to attack Sunday Igboho house in Ibadan because he is seeking self government of the Yoruba race but armed terrorists in North East who are mostly Fulani are pampered.
Government said they got the accounts of Sunday Igboho and has made outrageous charges against Nnamdi Kanu who they kidnapped from Kenya against International Law.
Government ordered several military strikes against ESN in Orlu that was set up by Igbo youth to protect native lands from the attacks of armed Fulani terrorists but government has till date failed to publish names of sponsors of Boko haram terrorists and armed Fulani terrorists and has released high valued boko haram terrorists under the criminal guise of resettlement and reintegration. Meanwhile the victims of terrorism are helpless including many widowed wives and husbands of soldiers killed by the terrorists.
Government called IPOB terrorists and went to Federal High Court through ex- parte application to get the court to declare it as a terrorist group. This decision is being challenged but nobody knows if the case is going on or not. The Defendant is so overwhelmed that they themselves haven’t told Nigerians the status of that case.
But the same government has refused to declare Fulani terrorist as terrorists but say they are just armed bandits. The houseboys of the executive arm of government called National Assembly legislators and 36 states Speakers of the Houses of Assembly have asked for Fulani militia to be called terrorists yet government is defending these terrorists and refusing to call them terrorists. The information minister even tried to rationalise this illegality and double standards by saying that those who kidnap school children in the North, rape them, kill villagers and destroy towns and villages and shut down a multimillion Naira worth Airforce jet are not terrorists because they don’t have flags like IPOB. LAUGHABLE AND IMBECILIC.
This is double standard and outrageous. Many members of IPOB not seen or known to even carry caterpault talk more of guns have been arrested, detained and physically tortured including even girlfriends of those suspected to be members of IPOB. Any Igbo youths can be killed by Army for being IPOB because government thinks every Igbo man is IPOB. Senseless conclusion.
Same government refused to arrest Sheikh Ahmad Gumi who through the media has canvassed support for terrorists who even the government support because government refuse to classify them as terrorists only because they share Fulani Islamic affiliation with the holders of power.
These persons who openly back terrorists now have the effrontery to attack in the media even journalists who call for their arrest.
This is what Gumi wrote about HURIWA which might be a coded signal that his boys may attack us:
HURIWA: another bunch of clowns! Says Ahmad Gumi in his Facebook page and stated thus:
“It is a folly to respond to every imbecile especially in matters of national and public interest since not every person has the cognitive perception and the faculty to analyze things that are congruent or incompatible with our general wellbeing.
However, HURIWA is a notoriously bigoted organization parading itself as a vanguard of citizens’ rights, when all its calls are paradoxically the denial of such rights. One wonders who they are working for. A bunch of clowns no Nigerian should take seriously.
Let the ‘Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria’ know that in Nigeria, the Freedom of speech and expression is a fundamental constitutional right of every citizen to speak on national issues without hindrance or suppression.
Article number: 38, subsection: (1) of our constitution states: “Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.” I rest my case!”
THE FOLLOWING PUBLICATIONS ARE HOW GUMI HAD DEFENDED THE FULANI TERRORISTS.
Gumi, an outspoken Islamic scholar has been at the forefront of negotiations with the bandits often visiting them in the forests.
According to Gumi, the bandits will refuse to surrender if the Press keeps referring to them as criminals.
He stated this on Wednesday when he made an appearance on ARISE News.
“You are emphasising on criminality, I don’t know. Even the Press (journalists) are criminals too because they are putting oil into fire. These people are listening to you, don’t address them as criminals if you want them to succumb,” the Sheikh told ARISE News.
“Youths are ready to put down their weapons, now they are hearing you call them criminals, how do you want them to cooperate. So you have to show them that they are Nigerians and that they should not hurt children and that they should be law abiding, these are the language we want to hear from the Press to assist us in getting the boys.
“When we talk to them in nice a wordings they are ready to put their weapons down, they are ready to listen to us, but when the language is about criminality, kill them, jail them, then this is what we will end up having,” Gumi added. (https://www.arise.tv/)
Islamic cleric Sheikh Gumi has declared that Nigeria is fighting a tribal war, calling for amnesty for bandits if they must quit their criminal acts.
He specifically urged farmers across the country to allow herdsmen to protect their forests.
According to Gumi, with the ongoing tribal war, the federal government is supposed to remain neutral.
The islamic scholar, while admitting that the bandits are committing all sorts of crimes, also said that atrocities have been committed against them by various tribes across Nigeria.
“What you call banditry, when you cross to the other side, you discover Nigeria is fighting a tribal war and government is supposed to be the mediator, it is supposed to be neutral, it’s not supposed to take sides,” Gumi said on Arise TV on Wednesday morning.
“But the moment government takes side, it becomes part of the conflict. And this is what I saw in Zamfara State, in Niger State and other states.
“This is tribal war going on and the government taking one side.
“When you said these bandits are committing atrocities, yes, agree they are committing crimes, they are killing people, they are kidnapping, they are raping, they are doing all sorts of atrocities.
“But, have you for once go to their own sides to see all sorts of atrocities that are also committed against them?
“Do you know that an ordinary herdsman is lynched in many towns in Nigeria? We have seen that in Oyo, we have seen that in Anambra, we have seen that in many regions of Nigeria.
“I think there should be well meaning Nigerians that should stay neutral in this tribal war.”
Insisting on his call for amnesty for the bandits, Gumi said they are ready to surrender if government will provide means of livelihood for them.
“The Niger Delta example, I think we can take example from that. When they were vandalising pipelines, they were given the pipelines to guard.
“Now, the herdsmen are controlling a big chunk of land whereby they are preventing farmers from farming. As the Niger Delta is important to the economy, these herdsmen now are becoming important to the Nigerian economy.
“They can be our guards, they can guard the forests. They have qualities that we can tap from,” Gumi said.
He dismissed the amnesty granted to bandits by Katsina State Governor Bello Masari, describing it “political amnesty” without any package.
“When you grant a political amnesty, I mean amnesty in the front of the press and the media but in the real sense there was no amnesty.
“Amnesty comes with a package. The package is you rehabilitate these criminals, you provide for them social amenities.
“You entice then to leave the forests by providing them with skills. But there is no any project put forward.”
Controversial Islamic scholar, Ahmad Gumi, has warned President Muhammadu Buhari and the federal government not to declare bandits killing and abducting people in the North as terrorists.
The Sunni scholar said declaring them as terrorists would come with a big price.
Mr Gumi, an ex -soldier and medical doctor, has been campaigning for amnesty for the outlaws terrorising states in the north-west and some part of north-central Nigeria.
He had been to forests in Kaduna, Niger, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara States to meet with governors and some notorious bandits with a view to striking a peace deal with the outlaws.
Recently, some Nigerians, including Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina and the forum of House of Assembly Speakers, urged the fedral govrrnment to declare the bandits as terrorists. The Senate had also made a similar call in September.
Citing reason such a declaration was necessary, Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai said it would enable the military to go all out against them without the fear or running foul of intrrnational laws.
But reacting to the calls, Mr Gumi posted on his Facebook page that it would be deadly.
Nobody doubts that sentimentalism today overrides sensibility in our polity. For the sake of posterity, some people will have to speak out.
The acts the Bandits are committing now in NW have gradually over time become tantamount to terrorism because wherever innocent people are fatal victims it’s pure terrorism. Yet, innocence these days is relative. We agreed if their children and women are also killed, they are guilty by association or collateral damage, so also the bandits may think the same way. It’s right for vigilantes to lynch Fulanis herdsmen or anyone that looks like them by profiling but wrong for the herdsmen to ransack villages in retribution. They are pushed to believe it is an existential war and in war, ethics are thrown to the winds.
Yet again, the only helpful part that is against Bandits is that no other than them are attracted to join them in the NW because of its ethnic tinge and coloration. However, the moment they are termed Terrorist – Islamic for that matter, the direct foreign Jihadist movements will set in in force. And many teaming unemployed youths may find it palatable and attractive. Shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ plus AK47 against a ‘secular’ immoral society where impunity reigns are the magnet for extremists and downtrodden – the majority of our youth. Already these deadly terrorist groups are fighting for the soul of these bandits. This will give criminality a spiritual cover and remove the stigma of discrediting them with such crimes since now they are fighting a ‘Jihad’ as they will claim. In such a situation, does the larger society -as it is- has the moral high ground to fight back? This is the most probable consequence, the price of which is not worth it. Nothing stops the kinetic actions from going on without the controversy of semantics.
NE is already and is still devastated by this madness for over 12 years. If we allow, terror, to set in into these raw naïve unexposed bandits, NW will be in ruins sooner than later. Already IPOB are destroying SE, and Igboho has set the ball of confusion rolling in SW. For those who want to destroy the NW, it’s a good recipe. Turn bandits into religious zealots. Tell me, what then remains of Nigeria?
I have started to get these raw bandits out of their misadventure but unfortunately, I have few helpers and a mountain of antagonists. The psychology in fighting natives is to induce a motive for their struggle if they don’t have one already, a motive that is manageable, and it is so managed. Unfortunately, reactions to threat in our nation is always slow and incoherent.
I hope another Igbo clergy goes into the IPOB militants likewise and talk sense into them, and another Pastor of Oduduwa land talks against the Igboho secessionist tribal movement by way of sensitizing people to the values of a cohesive nationalism that will guaranty freedom, equality, and justice for all. Religious forces can permeate hardened hearts where secular forces cannot.
Regrettably, people just sit down in the comfort of their rooms or parlors and make useless passing comments that only add fuel to the inferno of ethnic jingoism and bigotry. In the 21st century, Nigeria is hijacked by semi-illiterates and half-baked tribal heroes that have nothing to offer besides promoting tribal xenophobia. Nigeria has over 250 ethnic groupings, it’s not possible to divide such a nation into tribal enclaves. Nigeria is multi-religious, even with one same religion or sect there is no harmony and understanding that can build a prosperous unified nation where tranquility and development will flourish. We are tired of these bogus destructive fruitless slogans! (premiumtimesng.com)
Controversial Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, has again condemned the ongoing military onslaughts against armed bandits in Zamfara and others Northwest states of Nigeria.
Mr Gumi said only residents of the adjoining states are suffering the effects of the military action in Zamfara, as the bandits have since allegedly escaped.
“By the way, what you may not hear is that the bandits over the years have developed escape routes from aerial bombardments. They told us: you can only kill our women and children with your attacks!”, the cleric posted on his verified Facebook page.
He continued: “Just yesterday (Thursday), two contingents of banditry victims came to me that their loved ones were abducted by bandits in Kaduna suburbs – Rigachukun and Keke. An escapee engineer in the later said when he overheard and understood that they (bandits) were strangers in the area as they were calling the locals to lead them, that gave him the courage to slip through densely grown maize plantations to escape.
“The point is that, if Zamfara is on fire for them, definitely it goes without saying that they will migrate to other areas. So, is the whole of Nigeria going to be under lock-up in incommunicado? (sic),” Mr Gumi queried.
“War has never been the solution anywhere anytime” he said, urging the Nigerian government to grant an amnesty to the bandits.
Mr Gumi had visited some bandits in their forest hideouts and has consistently advised the government to negotiate with them in order to bring an end to banditry in the region.
Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle and his counterparts in Katsina had engaged bandits in their state in dialogue but the approach failed to end the menace. They have now withdrawn from the process and endorsed military actions.
Also, Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and his Niger State counterpart, Abubakar Sani, are also opposed to dialogue with the outlaws.
The cleric denied that he has sympathy for the criminals. Rather, he said his concern is for “his country, his state and humanity.
“I am a qualified Medical Doctor who knows what it takes to precisely excise a brain tumour without destroying the delicate surrounding brain tissues. I was a commissioned military officer who knows what the military is for and what is the capability of our military. I am an intellectual with a Ph.D. from Abroad. I am an Islamic scholar who knows the immorality of killing innocent lives. So, silence for me in this ocean of oblivion is not an option,” Mr Gumi said.
He added that “a sensible person would not allow his dwelling to be a theatre of war,” adding, “killing rats in your rat-infested sitting room with an iron rod will only end up destroying your gadgets and furniture probably without killing any. We should not mask out poor governance with artillery power.”
Peace mission
“My mission has not failed but it was sabotaged or discouraged by the same influential people that benefit from the chaos or like us to destroy ourselves and leave the herdsmen in perpetual ignorance,” Mr Gumi continued.
“Some said we have tried amnesty but it didn’t work. You didn’t try amnesty but tried amnesia. Amnesty without rehabilitation, reconciliation, and reparation is no amnesty. Ask the former Niger Delta Militants who killed security men in the past what an amnesty is. What stops us from having a federal ministry of Nomadic Affairs where their grievances and complaints will be addressed?
“All the bandit leaders we saw complained of how some repentant ones were picked and extra-judicially killed after the surrender of their weapons. Without their trust of the very unjust system all Nigerians complain of, which they took arms to fight, peace and negotiations with them will not work. This brings our role of mediation.
“They (bandits) know as religious men we will not deceive them, and they came out in troops to meet us. To our astonishment, it is the same unjust system that turns round to betray our peace mission. Some of the press for giving a negative narrative, whom I also term criminals-in-purpose.
“Some of the politicians who I see as urban-bandits who, out of their share mismanagement of our meagre resources and misplacement of priority, cause the death and infirmity of more people than the bandits affect.
“Of recent, how many Nigerians die of cholera -a water-born disease- because of lack of simple clean water to drink, or typhoid, malaria, and malnutrition? A nation with a maternal mortality rate of almost 500000/annum because of the lack of adequate maternal health facilities and qualified staff. A country where its highly-priced medical personnel is looking for a window to escape the inferno. Such a country, please!
“As for the economic impact of the areas now under siege, it’s just a matter of time, you’ll hear them crying out. Already yesterday a man from Tsafe came begging because of economic stagnation, one would have thought that Gusau the capital is closer than Kaduna to beg.
“As for those cynics that have no value to add in the dilemma except vituperation, and abuses, we know that is the substance they are made up of. No qualms whatsoever! you don’t expect fragrance from faeces,” Mr Gumi said.
So, what is the solution?
“Good Intelligence! Good proficient policing, engagement of the local herdsmen in policing, rehabilitation, reconciliation, and reparation of all victims of banditry.
“The good, honest judiciary that protects people’s rights. Money and time well spent on these will surely kill the disease and heal the nation of this delinquency, crimes, and bad governance,” he concluded. (premiumtimesng.com)
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS BACK HIM THUS:
Abba Monguno, national security adviser (NSA), says Ahmad Gumi, Islamic cleric, has offered to help the government in tackling insecurity.
Gumi who has been meeting with suspected bandits terrorising communities in the north-west and in the north-central had likened them to militants in the Niger-Delta, and asked that they are not tagged criminals.
He had also called on the federal government to grant blanket amnesty to the bandits.
At a state house briefing on Thursday, Monguno, while fielding questions from journalists, said he had met with Gumi, and that he is waiting to see how the cleric could help the government.
“Sheik Gumi is doing what he’s doing because he believes in what he’s doing. He’s a Nigerian and under the constitution he can talk to anybody. He can deal with anybody,” he said.
“I met with him when I went with the service chiefs to Kaduna, and we spoke generally during the meeting and he resolved to help government. We are waiting for him. That’s all I can say.”
The NSA said the government is not averse to holding talks with bandits, but that it cannot negotiate with people who are unreliable.
“While government is not averse to talking with these entities, it also has to fully apply its weight. You can’t negotiate with people who are unreliable and who will continue to hurt society,” he said.
“We will apply the full weight of the government to deal with these criminals.
“These are not people looking for anything that is genuine or legitimate, they’re just out to take calculated measures to inflict pain and violence on innocent people. We must deal with them the way they need to be dealt with. We will fully assert the government’s will.”
The NSA also said President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that mercenaries must not be engaged in fighting insecurity in the country.
There have been calls by governors in the north-east for the federal government to engage mercenaries.
But Monguno said Nigeria has all the resources needed to fight, but has been underutilised.
“When this administration came in, it’s true, we had these mercenaries helping out in the north-east. But the directive of the commander in chief is that we do not engage mercenaries when we have our own people to deal with this problem,” he said.
“This is basically a presidential directive. And there are so many issues when you come to the issue of mercenaries. It has to do with the issue of national pride also. I know you’d say can pride be more of a concern than our security? I do understand that.
“But what we are looking at here is that we have the resources, it’s just misapplication or underutilisation that has affected our ability to deal with these people.” (thecable.ng).
The Nigerian Army and a popular Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, on Wednesday disagreed over the latter’s allegation that security agents were collaborating with bandits.
Gumi, while featuring on Morning Show, a programme on Arise TV, on Wednesday, alleged that a lot of those he described as bad elements in the nation’s security forces were colluding with bandits.
The cleric stated that the bandits had been able to access assorted weapons that they used against Nigeria due to the cooperation of the security agents.
Gumi said these as The PUNCH learnt that at least 200 residents of Zamfara State had been killed in violent attacks despite an order by the President, MajorGeneral Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), declaring a ‘no-fly-zone’ over the state’s airspace.
On his part, the Kaduna-based cleric alleged that the security agents were doing business with the security and lives of Nigerians
Gumi said, “These bandits, if you don’t know, are cooperating with a lot of bad elements in our security system. This is a business. So many people are involved; you will be surprised.
“They were caught in Zamfara. They were caught everywhere. How do these big weapons cross our borders?
“How can these big weapons cross our borders and get into the forest without the cooperation of some bad elements of the security operatives assisting them? It is not possible.
“If I give you the same quantity of guns, can you take them to the UK? You can’t, because the security is at alert. Part of fighting this banditry is to overhaul our security system.”
He attributed the incessant banditry and herdsmen attacks across the country to tribal wars.
“What you call banditry, when you cross to the other side, you find out Nigeria is fighting a tribal war,” he said.
Gumi, who admitted that bandits commit atrocities, also accused the government at all levels of taking sides in the raging attacks on Nigerian communities.
“When you said these bandits are committing atrocities, yes, agree they are committing crimes. They are killing people. They are raping. They are doing all sorts of atrocities.
“But, have you for once gone to their own sides and see all sorts of atrocities that are also committed against them?” he asked.
Gumi claimed that herdsmen had been lynched across the southern region, while specifically naming Anambra and Oyo states.
The prominent cleric believes that the government should be neutral, rather than taking sides in addressing banditry and herdsmen attacks.
He stated, “The moment government takes sides, it becomes part of the conflict. And this is what I saw in Zamfara State, in Niger State and other states.
“It is very unfortunate that in the 21st century because of the fracture in our governmental structure people have turned to tribalism or religion originality to express their grievances,” he lamented.
He described the amnesty granted to bandits by the Katsina State Governor Bello Masari as “a political amnesty without any package.”
Gumi said “You granted a political amnesty, I mean an amnesty in the front of the media but in the real sense there was no amnesty.
“Amnesty comes with a package,” he maintained, stating that “the package is that you rehabilitate these criminals, you provide them social amenities.”
Allegation, attempt to undermine troops, denigrate military – Army
But the Army denied the allegation made by Gumi.
The Director of Army Public Relations, Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement on Wednesday, described the claim by the cleric as a calculated attempt to undermine the sacrifices of the troops aimed at restoring peace in the country.
The statement was titled ‘Nigerian Army not colluding with bandits.’
It read, “The Nigerian Army has just been alerted to a submission by Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi when he featured on ARISE TV Morning Show on Wednesday, June23, 2021 alleging that the Nigerian military is colluding with marauding bandits who have been responsible for various crimes and atrocities against Nigerians and the Nigerian state.
“The Nigerian Army wishes to state that contrary to Sheik Gumi’s claims, the Nigerian Army remains a bona fide symbol of national unity that has conducted its constitutional responsibilities in the most professional manner in line with global best practices of adherence to the rules of engagement and protection of the fundamental human rights of the citizenry.
“The sweeping allegation peddled by the scholar is not only sad and unfortunate, but a calculated attempt to denigrate the Nigerian military and undermine the sacrifices of our patriotic troops, who are working tirelessly to restore peace and stability across the country.”
Onyema stated that the military accused of connivance recently put their lives on the line to rescue abductees of the Government Secondary School, Birnin Yawuri from bandits.
He added, “While the NA will not attempt to excuse the possibility of black sheep amongst its fold, it must be stated unambiguously that it will not condone any form of sabotage or aiding and assisting the enemy by any personnel, as provisions for dealing decisively with such acts are crystallised in Section 45 (1) of the Armed Forces Act CAP A 20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
“It must also be pointed out that while the military is very much receptive to constructive criticism, it should not be perceived as a gateway for derogatory comments that have the potential to embolden criminals. It is also necessary to reiterate that patriotism must be taken to a trajectory where subversive conversations on the state are brought to the barest minimum.
“Opinion leaders are enjoined to demonstrate patriotism in building the peace, rather than being agents of destabilisation, thereby aggravating the current security challenges facing the nation.
“The Nigerian Army wishes to reassure law abiding citizens, that troops will continue to conduct themselves professionally in consonance with the code of conduct guiding our operations in all combat engagements, in line with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and global best practice.”
Over 200 killed in Zamfara despite Buhari’s no-fly-order
A tally by The PUNCH shows that 200 residents of Zamfara State have been killed in violent attacks despite a ‘no-fly-zone’ declared over the state’s airspace.
The National Security Adviser, BabaganaMonguno, had on March 2, 2021, conveyed the President’s no-fly-order which was done in a bid to end banditry in the gold-rich state.
Seeking to put an end to banditry that has ravaged Zamfara State and other parts of the North-West and North-Central states, Buhari declared the state a no-fly-zone and placed a ban on all mining activities.
A no-fly zone is a territory established by a military power over which certain aircraft are not permitted to fly.
Presidency officials had told The PUNCH that Buhari was shocked that some of the foreign illegal miners were linked to acts of banditry and the Zamfara State government simply ignored the destruction of some villages where the mining takes place and tolerated the use of choppers in and out to facilitate illegal mining.
The traditional rulers in the state told service chiefs, who visited the state, that there were over 30,000 bandits in Zamfara forests, a number that far outweighs the less than 10,000 troops deployed in the state to tackle insecurity.
A tally by The PUNCH, however, showed that at least 200 people had been killed by bandits since the no-fly-zone came into effect in March even as states sharing boundaries with Zamfara such as Kaduna, Niger and Kebbi had continued to witness killings and abductions.
On March 3, a day after the no-fly-order came into effect, about 50 persons were abducted while several houses were burnt in an attack on Tungar Baushe community in Mutunji district, Maru Local Government Area of the state but no deaths were reported.
On March 17, eight persons, including three soldiers and five civilians, were killed by terrorists at Kasaba village, Magami district, Maru Local Government Area, Zamfara State, an act which was condemned by the governor in a statement signed by his Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Dosara.
Some of the bandits were also reported to have been killed by the military. The Nigerian Army said on May 10 that its troops killed 48 bandits operating across different camps in the Maru local government area of the state.
On April 21, however, about 90 persons were killed during separate attacks in Gusau, Maradun and Bakura local government areas. Many of the victims were said to be vigilantes. While 62 corpses were immediately recovered, residents stated that the death toll rose to 90 the following day.
Over 100 bandits were reported to have stormed Dansadau Town on May 18, stealing over 300 cows and looting shops but no deaths were reported.
However, on May 22, bandits killed 21 people including two policemen in Gabaken, Rigiya, Donroyi, Torawa, and Riwoji all located in the Zurmi and Kaura Namoda local government areas of the state.
On May 24, gunmen on motorcycles invaded Dandamji, Gidan Runji, Doka, Yanmadanga and Yarkatsina villages killing at least 10 people. The police, however, claimed to have killed 10 of the bandits as well.
Bandits killed about 12 farmers and injured nine others in attacks in the Gusau Local Government Area on June 3.
On June 12, about 54 villagers were killed in an attack on five communities in Zurmi village. The residents were reported to have taken some of the corpses to the palace of the village traditional ruler to protest.
FG should assess impact of no-fly-zone – Zamfara
When contacted, the Special Adviser to Governor Bello Matawalle on Public Enlightenment Media and Communication, Alhaji Zailani Bappa, said the question on whether the no-fly-zone order had reduced killings and kidnapping in Zamfara State should be directed to the Federal Government.
Bappa said the Federal Government has enforced the no fly zone order aimed at restoring peace in the state as such it should be asked whether the order has made an impact.
“You should direct your question to the Federal Government no know whether the no fly zone order has stopped the killings and kidnapping of people in the state”.
“Zamfara State Government is not supposed to say whether the order has made an impact or not because it was not responsible for that”.
“As a journalist, you can make your own assessment through investigation to find out whether the order has stopped the killings and kidnapping of people in the state,” said Bappa.
Speaking with The PUNCH on Wednesday, the Country Director of Amnesty International, Ms. Osai Ojigho, said it was very sad that Zamfara and other states were still seeing high numbers of people who had been killed, lost their homes and displaced as a result of the violence.
Ojigho added, “One of the things we are getting from the ground is that many of these areas are dominated by a strong military presence but there is a slow response in terms of engaging the bandits, criminals whatever you want to call them in these communities and it is due to years of failing to find long lasting solutions to this crisis.”
In his reaction, however, the Director, Army Information, Brig. Gen.Onyema Nwachukwu, said the army had averted many attacks in Zamfara State and had bombarded the hideouts of bandits.
He, however, urged residents to assist the military with credible information on security.
Nwachukwu said, “As we speak, troops of the Nigerian Army under the aegies of Operation Hadarin Daji in the North West are conducting aggressive clearance operations on suspected bandits’ enclaves.
“Stop and search operations are also ongoing, to fish out fleeing bandits and intercept flow of illegal arms and ammunition. Troops are equally maintaining blocking positions to deny the bandits freedom of action.” (PUNCH).
CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF BACKS GUMI THUS-:
The Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, has revealed the reason why controversial Islamic cleric, Sheik Ahmad Gumi, has not been arrested.
Irabor said the Nigerian military cannot arrest Gumi because the cleric is playing his part in restoring peace to the North and in the resolution of the fight against insecurity.
He said this on Thursday while speaking at the ministerial briefing organised by the presidential communications team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Irabor stated that the military welcomes any help in combating the bandits and terrorists, adding that the military did not employ the cleric.
He added that the help is acceptable as long as such interventions are not contrary or inhibiting the operations of the military.
The Defence chief noted that interacting with known bandits and advocating for amnesty for them is not a crime in the country.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian military on Thursday confirmed the killing of the leader of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Abu Musab Al-Barnawi.
Confirmed the killing, Irabor said: “I can authoritatively confirm to you that Abu Musab is dead. As simple as that. He is dead and remains dead.”
Naija News had reported that Al-Barnawi was killed in the last week of August.
Al-Barnawi was the son of Boko Haram founder, Mohammed Yusuf who was also killed by security forces in 2009 when he launched a war against the Nigerian state. (naijanews.com).
ILLEGALITY OF DOUBLE STANDARDS IN NIGERIA UNDER PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI:
The zest exhibited with respect to dealing with IPOB members in Orlu and Ihiala, should therefore be extended to the north-western states. To do otherwise would give the impression that the Federal Government is applying double standards. Such practice would also give impetus to the conspiracy theorists of a hidden agenda, as the majority of the security heads are from the north-west zone, where palliatives instead of ammunition are being offered to bandits.
The Federal Government must therefore do everything to avoid giving the impression that crime pays in certain parts of the country. The consequences could be very devastating in the long run. Nation
The perception out there is that while the president is soft both in words and actions against the armed herdsmen that have been wreaking havoc in several rural communities across the country, he has been vehement and trident in condemning separatist groups, like IPOB. While the president is entitled to his private idiosyncrasies, he must exercise due diligence in matters of national importance and public perception.
Section 14(3) of the 1999 constitution (as amended) provides without equivocation that: “The composition of the government of the federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few state or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that government or in any of its agencies.”
Will the minister say that the present government has obeyed this kernel provision of the 1999 constitution, as to reap the benefits envisaged by its obedience? With complaints against the lopsided appointments by the federal government, does it not follow that the federal government is engaged in double standards? Again, section 16(2)(a) of the constitution provides: “The state shall direct its policy towards ensuring: the promotion of a planned and balanced economic development.”
One example. Considering the decision of the president to approve the establishment of a standard gauge railway line, an important factor of economic development, from his home state to a neighbouring country, while his minister for transportation is offering about one-half of the country the archaic and out-dated single gauge; would it not be appropriate to levy accusation of double standards against the government? Of course, such double standards will not enhance “federal character, promote national unity and also command national loyalty.”
The greatest challenge faced by our dear country is that, a large chunk of her citizens have withdrawn their loyalty to the country, substantially because they perceive the country as being run on double standards. Of course, some of the challenges predate the government of President Buhari, but it appears to have been aggravated under his watch. For one, in a recent interview, the president vehemently denied the allegation of lopsided appointments, even as his opponents reel out statistics to counteract his assertion.
More importantly, since there are those who disagree with the perception of Mr President, the ideal reaction should be to engage the claimants in debates in sundry manners. If the president is convinced that his appointments are not lopsided, and that his military chiefs are appointed because of their proven field experiences, his men should present facts to counter those claiming otherwise. As the saying goes, facts are sacred.
Regardless of how angry the president has become, this column strongly advises him to change his strong-arm tactics in dealing with those who hold a different view as to how to resolve the lingering national questions. Of course, this column decries and condemns the orchestrated violence by non-state actors to pursue their misgivings against the government. But the president must realise that his dithering in correcting the anomaly, rather escalates the crisis.
With less than two years in power, substantial part of which he will be a lame-duck president, President Buhari must avoid being remembered as a dictatorial civilian president. If he does not rein in the war-mongers around him, the country may degenerate into chaos by the time the regime winds down. The international community may also make him and our country a pariah, for the excessive force currently on display, especially in the southeast, which amounts to abuse of the fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens.
The international community may also make him and our country a pariah, for the excessive force currently on display, especially in the southeast, which amounts to abuse of the fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens.
A double standard may arise if two or more groups who have equal legal rights are given different degrees of legal protection or representation. Such double standards are seen as unjustified because they violate a common maxim of modern legal jurisprudence – that all parties should stand equal before the law. Where judges are expected to be impartial, they must apply the same standards to all people, regardless of their own subjective biases or favoritism, based on: social class, rank, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age or other distinctions.
Ethnicity Edit
Double standards exist when people are preferred or rejected on the basis of their ethnicity in situations in which ethnicity is not a relevant or justifiable factor for discrimination (as might be the case for a cultural performance or ethnic ceremony).
The intentional efforts of some people to counteract racism and ethnic double standards can sometimes be interpreted by others as actually perpetuating racism and double standards among ethnic groups.
A double standard arises in politics when the treatment of the same political matters between two or more parties (such as the response to a public crisis or the allocation of funding) is handled differently. This could occur because of the nature of political relationships between those tasked with these matters, the degree of reward or power that stands to be gained/lost, or the personal biases/prejudices of politicians.
Double standard policies can include situations when a country’s or commentator’s assessment of the same phenomenon, process or event in international relations depends on their relationship with or attitude to the parties involved.
DECIDED CASE-: ABDULLAHI & ORS. V GOVERNMENT OF FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA & ORS. (ECW/CCJ/JUD/18/16) [2016] ECOWASCJ 55; (7 JUNE 2016).
Also, Rules that the arguments and defense of the Defendant are not supported by evidence, and accordingly, enters judgment against the Defendant for the illegal killings of the persons named and represented by the 1st Applicant and injuries caused to the 2nd to the 12th Applicants; And awards the sum of §200,000 (two hundred thousand United States Dollars) to each of the deceased families and §150,000.00 (one hundred and fifty thousand dollars) each to the 2nd to 12th
Applicants for injuries caused them by the agents of the Defendant.
AS TO COSTS.
The Court rules that costs are hereby awarded to the Applicants against the Defendant as assessed by the Registry of the Court.
Thus made, adjudged and pronounced in a public hearing at Abuja this day 7th day of June, 2016 by the Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS.
Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko; National Coordinator of HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA).
Press briefing statement dated on 26th October, 2021.
It’s been three years since the paramount ruler of the Adara tribe, Dr. Raphael Maiwada Galadima popularly known as Agom Adara was gruesomely murdered by some gang of terrorists whom security agencies later revealed to be Fulanis.
The circumstances under which the revered Chief was abducted and later murdered after ransom was paid remain a mystery yet to be unraveled with the court of public opinion believing that he was not just randomly abducted and murdered but a well calculated action that would later be revealed following events that took place after his exodus from the throne.
Galadima, described by many as a man of peace and justice was on his way back from Kaduna on Friday 19 October 2018 when the daredevil terrorists attacked his convoy, killing four aides before taking him, his wife and driver into the forest, a journey that would eventually led to his exit from planet earth. His wife was later released by the terrorists but the Chief would never be seen again even after ransom was negotiated and paid in full.
In the Morning of 26 October 2018, after spending a week in captivity, the terrorists shot Chief Galadima at close range and dumped his body along the dreaded Abuja-Kaduna highway. The entire Adara tribe all over Nigeria and the people of Southern Kaduna were thrown into deep mourning.
Barely two weeks after his murder, the Kaduna state command of the Department of State Security (DSS) announced the arrest of the suspected killers of the Royal father, a development that was welcomed by many with joy and optimism that justice was on its way. Mohammed Ningi, the Director of the DSS in Kaduna while announcing the arrest said that the six suspects were arrested following intense security surveillance on them.
As expected, the six were charged to court by the police but their trial has been a top secret, the public know nothing about all thanks to the lackadaisical attitude of the prosecution team from the Kaduna state department of justice. The prosecution which ought to be up and doing to ensure that justice is served on time for the public interest is either not interested in the case or just buying time to get the public to forget about the gruesome murder of the Royal father.
To make matters worse and more complicated, the Chiefdom the late Monarch left behind was ‘balkanized’ by the Kaduna state government with no replacement for the murdered monarch three years after his murder.
The Kaduna state government in June 2018 announced the establishment of an Emirate over Kajuru, a predominantly Christian local government. Emirates are known to be the outcome of Jihad conquest. Unfortunately in the case of Kajuru, there was no war not to talk about conquest.
The Kaduna state government in a tweet announced that the Kajuru Chiefdom had requested to be ‘redesignated’ as Emirate.
There are three chiefdoms in Kauru LGA: Kauru, Kumana and Tsam. Of the three, only the Chief of Kauru aspired to be classified as an emir, like the chiefs of Lere, Kagarko and Kajuru.
When did it becomes the prerogative of a Chief to aspire to be classified an Emir? Can a minority local chief in Giwa or Igabi also aspire to be classified a ‘Sarkin dodo'(JuJu Chief) and the government accepts such with same alacrity?.
Whatever is slowing down the process of justice in the trial of the suspected killer of Agom Adara must be reviewed and steps taking by the Kaduna state justice department to ensure that justice is not only served but served well and on time.
Only true justice would prove the court of public opinion wrong or right on the assumptions being made about who killed Agom Adara and why he was killed and the Kaduna state government holds the key to ensuring that such assumptions are brought to end by making sure that justice is served.
Today makes it exactly 3 years that the AGOM ADARA, Late HRH Maiwada Raphael Galadima, a first class traditional ruler from Southern Kaduna was assassinated by Terrorists. Till date, his killers are yet to be prosecuted by the failed and incapacitated government of Nigeria.
The late AGOM was known to be the most vibrant Traditional ruler in Southern Kaduna of his time. He seriously encouraged and promoted the unity of the Southern Kaduna and Middlebelt people. He urged all Southern Kaduna Traditional leaders to abandon the Turban attires adopted from Core northerners by Middlebelt Traditional leaders. He stood on the idea for our people to go back to our ancestral Traditional attires. The Sokoto caliphate of course was not happy with that.
His memories will continue to remain fresh in our hearts. His legacy we will continue to uphold and he will always remain our HERO.
