Arewa-online

I AM IN LOVE WITH NIGERIA.

By Abubakar Adamu, MSc, MCILT.

Sept 18, 2006

Few years ago as an Undergraduate Student on a Political Science course at the University of Plymouth. My Professor gave a lecture on a subject module called “Political Ideology” and told the class a story of a fellow Professor, who was researching a thesis on “The Meaning of Happiness.” Unfortunately, the Professor was unable to defined his subject-matter to match his hypothesis (what is happiness?) Because the concept postulates variables, the different definitions and meanings of happiness, the topic eventually drove the researcher crazy. Therefore, we must try and understand life in its simple meaning and making it complex and difficult, drives us into a meaningless pursuits. My love affair with Nigeria and the estrangement was a result of things becoming difficult in our relationship.

I have been in love with Nigeria since birth. I still have fond memory of the good times: The time when I went to School to learn because Nigeria provided the opportunity and environment for learning; I enjoyed Preventative and Primary Health Care in my Village, with a Dispensary nearby; The roads to my Village were not tarred but well maintained by the Men from the Ministry of Works; Eating three-square meals a day was not a privilege but a right; there was no democracy per se but the leaders were benevolent and worked for the benefits of their communities; We can post a letter within Nigeria and to abroad and have the confidence that the P & T (Post and Telecommunication) will deliver and a lot of good things about Nigeria.

Thinking of the good times put a smile on my face and also tears in my eyes, I now ask the question, what went wrong between Nigeria and Nigerians. Is Nigeria being taken over by ‘aliens’ or greedy ‘leaders,’ who do not care about her wellbeing? Quoting Dr. Femi Ajayi: (http://nigeriaworld.com/columnist/ajayi/091606.html) who quoted Atiku Abubakar, the Nigeria Vice President, and Nigeria is now about who made or stole the most money from the Government treasury. Atiku was as “He has made more money since he came into office than I have made.” Nigeria ‘leaders’ and ‘politicians’ no longer talk about ideals and policies, but how to perfect corrupt practices. Shame, shame and shame.

I fell out of love with Nigeria because I do not understand Nigeria anymore. As with a relationship, the tensions and lack of emotional support drove us apart. We separated and I moved out, but no day passes without me not thinking of Nigeria and the love and the good times we had shared. We are both angry with each other; I am angry because Nigeria abandoned me and began an affair with those who do not mean well for her. Nigeria is angry with me because I did not stay and fight to win her love back but took an easy way out and left her fighting alone with her new molesters.

The molesters of Nigeria are the new breed of ‘leaders’ and ‘politicians’ of less principle or sense of public service. What we have now are bunch of hypocrites. One of the most hypocritical of them all is a Man called, Alhaji Sani Ahmed, and Governor of Zamfara State, who claimed to bring Sharia Law to Nigeria. Those who know the History of Nigeria well know that Sharia has been in existence and in practice before the colonial rule, in particular the Northern part of Nigeria, where in towns and villages you find Alkali Courts and Federal Sharia Appeal Court. Some Muslims were naive and in euphoria for supporting Sani Ahmed as if he brought them something new, as the only way of salvation and a way to Paradise, they did not noticed they were being conned and a typical 419 tricks that has become a Nigeria trait.

Majority of Islamic Scholars and most Muslims ascribe to the concept of Sharia law but with conditionality. Islam would say, Sharia can only be promulgated in a Society where the Government or the Civil Society provided the opportunity of self-reliance and economy empowerment, so that no one is forced to commit a preventative crime. In Nigeria, jobs opportunities are few, business development and growth are poor, and food price is only affordable to the elite and ‘politicians’. If all or some of the conditions are not fulfilled then Sharia cannot be implemented justly and also those who implement Sharia Law must be incorruptible and fair, for fear of Allah.

We read news of Alhaji Ahmed’s palaver and in tug-of-war with the EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) men for corruption and money laundering allegations: http://odili.net/news/source/2006/aug/29/502.html The EFCC alleged about N750 million meant for Local Government Areas and other funding were misused. Governor Sani Ahmed of Zamfara State and Alhaji Abubakar Moriki (Secretary to the State government) were accused of N2.2 billion money laundering. Allah forbids if the allegations are proven, then Sani Ahmed and his henchmen must have cheated those Muslims who got pains in defending unfair law or lost lives during agitation for Sharia Law. There are also stories of Governor Ahmed gave praise-singers cars and held an all-night ‘dancing’ party (or parties) between men and women, both actions and behaviours are contrary to Islamic Law. Gifts and Zakat (alms) are to be given to the needy not to those praising your ego. Dancing party between men and women is forbidden in Islam, if the stories are true then Alhaji Sani Yerima is making mockery of the Sharia Law he introduced in Zamfara State.

Another story of a late Pastor Timothy Olufemi Akanni, whose assets and properties worth N7 billion are seized by the EFCC: http://odili.net/news/source/2006/sep/6/399.html The sorts of Yerimas and Pastor Akannis who caused unnecessary troubles, hiding under the shadows of religion or tribalism, upsets many Nigerians and caused tensions all over the Country. How about applying Sharia Law to all, so that if a Muslim Governor or any official found guilty of corruption, have their hand or hands chop-off not just for a poor thief who may have stolen a chicken not millions of naira of public money. God have mercy on hypocrites.

I am still in love with Nigeria. Whatever our misunderstanding, Nigeria is the only place many Nigerians can call a home. Not all Nigerians abandoned her in time of trials and tribulations; we appreciate the sacrifices of Professor Wole Soyinka, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and the EFCC team and others for dreaming and working for a better Nigeria. The 2007 Election and the new government can throw Nigeria an opportunity for new thinking and reconciliations. The people of Niger Delta, The Ogoni people, the Pro-Biafra rebirth, the unemployed youth, the victims of tribal or religious fights and all disenfranchised groups must be reconciled and brought into One Nigeria. I pray the death of Engineer Funsho Williams and Dr. Ayodeji Daramola, governor aspirants 2007 for Lagos and Ekiti States are not in vain, for their passion and readiness by all means necessary to serve their people. God Bless Nigeria.

Abubakar Adamu is a Transport Logistician and Freelance Researcher.