My brother China had come into town ahead of the football match between Nigeria and Ethiopia billed for Sunday 27 March 2011. As part of his duty tour, he interviewed English premier league Wigan Athletic’s and Nigerian International, Victor Moses’. His story revealed how Victors parents were killed in Kaduna almost a decade ago. (read http://www.naijafootball247.com/2011/03/how-wigan-athletics-victor-moses.html)
Sad story indeed. Though the tragedy ultimately propelled him into a brilliant career, what l take away from it is how long will this violence last? How long will our so called law enforcement agents look the other way in the name of religion and cowardice? This is exactly what I have been writing about. This is the concluding part of my article "My heart goes out to the Innocent in "J" Town!" where I examined the calamity that have besieged the once peaceful Jos, capital of Plateau State.
Exactly my sentiments... perhaps the other little boys he played with (who may have been more talented) are yet to be discovered. That is what happens in a repressive and wicked system where people are blinded by religion and tribalism. If he had stayed on in Nigerian and played his life out, he may not have made the national team too.
Here is one interesting article on the same issue http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/notes/naomi-lucas/who-is-the-north-part-2/10150156355578779 - exactly my sentiments.
Showing posts with label Death. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Death. Show all posts
Friday, March 25, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
My heart goes out to the Innocent in "J" Town!
Woke up to learn about the fresh violence in Jos, only a few weeks after boiling over. It had me thinking of this endless nightmare and how it all started, why our leaders are clueless as to how to solve it, the far reaching implications and what may help to solve it.
Nigeria's religious crisis go way back in history... not remotely connected to the earliset clash that was a result of a failed coup 'detar by the military in 1966 - ultimately leading to civil unrest and eventually civil war. If like me, you are old enough to remember or an ardent follower of history, you may have heard of Zango-Kataf crisis. in Kaduna State. Maitama, etc.
Over the years, a forward-looking, well meaning society would have learned the lessons and forged a path that should ensure that such conflicts remain what they are - History. None-the-less, we have watched as countless number of innocent lives are wasted on a daily basis all over the nation, while our so called government, like their endless battle(s) with corruption - pay lip-service to the violence. Ostensibly, these crisis all seem to be either religious or politically motivated, however, there seem to be a more elusive phenomenon at play. No doubt, the political elite in their bid to whip-up sentiments, and geaner votes, have played their regular "trump card" - religion. As Carl Max said, "religion is the opium of the masses" - Spurred on in their drunken stupor - Christian and Muslim alike, have drenched their lions with the blood of their neighbors, soiled the once tranquil city state with their bloody hands and unleashed a reign of terror on Jos. What remains to be seen is why the authorities have fail time and time again to curb the re-occurrence.
In order to elicit an enduring solution , I have attempted to trace the history of Plateau religious crisis -
I talked to some Plateau natives with a view to understand what the problem is, where it is coming from? Who is the aggressor? and perhaps propose a lasting solution different from what we have tried until now.
In the final analysis, my comparison left me with mixed feelings. Everyone I talked to tended to say the same thing - regardless of their political or religious affiliation - Firstly, they both see the others as the aggressor (we and them mindset) regardless of facts before hand. They were both very angry and both consider this crisis as war - Even a very senior colleague of mine (*** ******* - name withheld), was so furious that he swore that he would kill a Christian if he had the opportunity... made me wonder when this crisis will end, if such a "seemingly" enlightened, responsible, educated man with a family and a good job would stick his neck that far to mutter such an evil thing. But no matter on which side of the divide you stand, so much pent up hate and anger has eaten up the masses that they appear to be ready to kill for what they believe.
Secondly, they all contend that the problem is the Soldiers deployed to keep the peace. The Nigerian army may have fared well in several international peace keeping assignments, but their reputation at home is full of "sorrow, tears and blood! - their regular trade mark!!". (see my article titled "Do you know where your neighbor is?" from 2010). It would appear to me that they would prefer a battle to the finish" than to have any force mediating between them. The Christians contend that the Muslims always attack first, and the soldiers prevent the Christians from retaliating, unwittingly giving the Muslims the upper hand. So it is no surprise that Christians want the soldiers to be withdrawn. The Christians like Bishop Kwashi say “We are the victims of any Islamic anger... years ago, it was the Danish cartoons. Now they are trying to lay it at the feet of the elections. We have become a convenient scapegoat and target for those with grievances about events both home and abroad.” alluding to the already popular fad that there exist a silent Jihadist campaign to take the nation (the earth) at all cost. Religious motivated crisis all over the nation are only proof of that campaign. Bishop Kwashi implored international media, he made the plea: “Please, if you have evidence of anywhere where Christians have sparked off a riot or done anything wrong, please be honest in telling it. But if not, stand up for justice … “We want the support of the Church worldwide to understand that we have never initiated crimes against the Muslim people.” To my mind, though their claim sounds like good logic, what is not very evident is the fact behind the crisis - the embers that fuels the Jos fires - Politics.
In a democracy, in a so called federated Nigeria, a few people - minority, yet who are indegenes want to lord it over a majority Hausa Fulani who form the majority in a local government. This conundrum, to many a no brainer, but to many others, neither here nor there. I will explain...
..................... To Be Continued ........................
Nigeria's religious crisis go way back in history... not remotely connected to the earliset clash that was a result of a failed coup 'detar by the military in 1966 - ultimately leading to civil unrest and eventually civil war. If like me, you are old enough to remember or an ardent follower of history, you may have heard of Zango-Kataf crisis. in Kaduna State. Maitama, etc.
Over the years, a forward-looking, well meaning society would have learned the lessons and forged a path that should ensure that such conflicts remain what they are - History. None-the-less, we have watched as countless number of innocent lives are wasted on a daily basis all over the nation, while our so called government, like their endless battle(s) with corruption - pay lip-service to the violence. Ostensibly, these crisis all seem to be either religious or politically motivated, however, there seem to be a more elusive phenomenon at play. No doubt, the political elite in their bid to whip-up sentiments, and geaner votes, have played their regular "trump card" - religion. As Carl Max said, "religion is the opium of the masses" - Spurred on in their drunken stupor - Christian and Muslim alike, have drenched their lions with the blood of their neighbors, soiled the once tranquil city state with their bloody hands and unleashed a reign of terror on Jos. What remains to be seen is why the authorities have fail time and time again to curb the re-occurrence.
In order to elicit an enduring solution , I have attempted to trace the history of Plateau religious crisis -
- September 7, 2001 - religious riots in Jos resulted in more than four years of bloodshed, killing thousands of people and displacing thousands of others.
- In 2004 an estimated 700 people died in Yelwa, Plateau state.
- November 27, 2008 - Religious crisis erupts, 40 churches razed down as angry Muslim youths who suspected election fraud, attacked Christians and their properties.
- November 28th and 29th 2008, Reprisal attacks leaves 500 dead people in its wake (100 Christians killed by the mod, and 400 Muslims killed by police before the riot was quelled),
- July 17, 2010 - Mazah (only nine miles from Jos)
- July 21 2010 - Dutse Uku and Nasarawa Gwom reprisal attacks by Christians. in 30mins alone over 300 were dead
- December 2010 -
I talked to some Plateau natives with a view to understand what the problem is, where it is coming from? Who is the aggressor? and perhaps propose a lasting solution different from what we have tried until now.
In the final analysis, my comparison left me with mixed feelings. Everyone I talked to tended to say the same thing - regardless of their political or religious affiliation - Firstly, they both see the others as the aggressor (we and them mindset) regardless of facts before hand. They were both very angry and both consider this crisis as war - Even a very senior colleague of mine (*** ******* - name withheld), was so furious that he swore that he would kill a Christian if he had the opportunity... made me wonder when this crisis will end, if such a "seemingly" enlightened, responsible, educated man with a family and a good job would stick his neck that far to mutter such an evil thing. But no matter on which side of the divide you stand, so much pent up hate and anger has eaten up the masses that they appear to be ready to kill for what they believe.
Secondly, they all contend that the problem is the Soldiers deployed to keep the peace. The Nigerian army may have fared well in several international peace keeping assignments, but their reputation at home is full of "sorrow, tears and blood! - their regular trade mark!!". (see my article titled "Do you know where your neighbor is?" from 2010). It would appear to me that they would prefer a battle to the finish" than to have any force mediating between them. The Christians contend that the Muslims always attack first, and the soldiers prevent the Christians from retaliating, unwittingly giving the Muslims the upper hand. So it is no surprise that Christians want the soldiers to be withdrawn. The Christians like Bishop Kwashi say “We are the victims of any Islamic anger... years ago, it was the Danish cartoons. Now they are trying to lay it at the feet of the elections. We have become a convenient scapegoat and target for those with grievances about events both home and abroad.” alluding to the already popular fad that there exist a silent Jihadist campaign to take the nation (the earth) at all cost. Religious motivated crisis all over the nation are only proof of that campaign. Bishop Kwashi implored international media, he made the plea: “Please, if you have evidence of anywhere where Christians have sparked off a riot or done anything wrong, please be honest in telling it. But if not, stand up for justice … “We want the support of the Church worldwide to understand that we have never initiated crimes against the Muslim people.” To my mind, though their claim sounds like good logic, what is not very evident is the fact behind the crisis - the embers that fuels the Jos fires - Politics.
In a democracy, in a so called federated Nigeria, a few people - minority, yet who are indegenes want to lord it over a majority Hausa Fulani who form the majority in a local government. This conundrum, to many a no brainer, but to many others, neither here nor there. I will explain...
..................... To Be Continued ........................
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Everybody Say Yeah Yeah!
For most young Nigerians at home, Fela Anikulapo Kuti is perhaps one character they would rather not be associated with. I was seriously put off by one “oyimbo wanna be” Nigerian girl I met overseas when she professed her hatred for Fela. For yet another category of Nigerians (the over 35’s) Fela represents the courage, passion and simplicity that most of us lack. Fela is one man that stoke his neck out (more often than he needed to) in defence of the poor and down trodden, this fuelled his legendary Afro rhythm that inspired a nation and captivated the world.
The World? Ostensibly, Felas genre of music – aptly tagged “Afro Beat” is for Africans at home and abroad. However, you would be surprised to learn how popular this charismatic, eccentric artiste is – From experience, i know that one of the few GOOD things I hear about Nigeria from foreigners is about music and football.
In the 1989 as a naive teenager in a crowed dance floor in far away Perth, Scotland, I was stunned to hear those unmistakable “Sorrow, tears and blood” anthem from the 1978 “Coffin for Mr. President“ album. The lyrics “Everybody run, run, run, everybody scatter scatter” could have made sense to the sole African in the club, but I couldn’t help but wonder why, the rest carried on like they could understand what he was saying. My conclusion was that white people would dance to any funky beat regardless of what was being said. That was to change a few years down the line in the then popular South London Nigerian hang out called “Calabar” where I met Fela’s number 1 fan. Arnold... A blue eyed English man who had fallen head-over-hills with Nigeria. Having never visited the country, he learnt how to speak Pidgin English from listening to Fela and hanging out with Nigerians over the years. His passion for Afro Beat appealed to me, as I also have a taste for exotic music far removed from my social and political culture. But I don’t think I could have gone for all Tarrus Riely and Sean Pauls concerts, yet Arnold had not missed any Fela concert anywhere in continental Europe.
Fela Abami eba! Immortalized on Broadway!
In a classic case of a prophet not known in his own kingdom, Fela’s fame outside Nigeria is unrivalled by any other black African musician. Something his son Femi still rides on to date. Like his mother Olufunmilayo before him, The Anikulapo Kuti’s activism runs deep (Beko Kuti is one of Nigeria’s foremost civil activist). There have been several calls for a posthumous award in honour of his fearlessness in his bid to entertain, enlighten and promote our culture. Yet, these have fallen on deaf ears.
Interestingly, the main antagonist Fela sang about throughout his life and their stooges still prowl the corridors of power today. Little wonder why there has been any significant move to honor him. While we wait for our deaf, blind and dumb leadership to rise to the occasion. Other nations and organisation have imortalised this legend - recently Fela’s life and music has hit Broadway.
FELA!, http://felaonbroadway.com/ is the most critically acclaimed new musical of the season, has already received three Tony Awards: Best Choreography, Best Costume Design for a Musical and Best Sound Design of a Musical! Featuring Kevin Mambo as Fela and Grammy award winner and multi-platinum recording artist Patti LaBelle! At the US tour Mitchelle Obama was among the dignitaries at the star studded launch. Read more.
The World? Ostensibly, Felas genre of music – aptly tagged “Afro Beat” is for Africans at home and abroad. However, you would be surprised to learn how popular this charismatic, eccentric artiste is – From experience, i know that one of the few GOOD things I hear about Nigeria from foreigners is about music and football.In the 1989 as a naive teenager in a crowed dance floor in far away Perth, Scotland, I was stunned to hear those unmistakable “Sorrow, tears and blood” anthem from the 1978 “Coffin for Mr. President“ album. The lyrics “Everybody run, run, run, everybody scatter scatter” could have made sense to the sole African in the club, but I couldn’t help but wonder why, the rest carried on like they could understand what he was saying. My conclusion was that white people would dance to any funky beat regardless of what was being said. That was to change a few years down the line in the then popular South London Nigerian hang out called “Calabar” where I met Fela’s number 1 fan. Arnold... A blue eyed English man who had fallen head-over-hills with Nigeria. Having never visited the country, he learnt how to speak Pidgin English from listening to Fela and hanging out with Nigerians over the years. His passion for Afro Beat appealed to me, as I also have a taste for exotic music far removed from my social and political culture. But I don’t think I could have gone for all Tarrus Riely and Sean Pauls concerts, yet Arnold had not missed any Fela concert anywhere in continental Europe.
Fela Abami eba! Immortalized on Broadway!
In a classic case of a prophet not known in his own kingdom, Fela’s fame outside Nigeria is unrivalled by any other black African musician. Something his son Femi still rides on to date. Like his mother Olufunmilayo before him, The Anikulapo Kuti’s activism runs deep (Beko Kuti is one of Nigeria’s foremost civil activist). There have been several calls for a posthumous award in honour of his fearlessness in his bid to entertain, enlighten and promote our culture. Yet, these have fallen on deaf ears.
Interestingly, the main antagonist Fela sang about throughout his life and their stooges still prowl the corridors of power today. Little wonder why there has been any significant move to honor him. While we wait for our deaf, blind and dumb leadership to rise to the occasion. Other nations and organisation have imortalised this legend - recently Fela’s life and music has hit Broadway.
FELA!, http://felaonbroadway.com/ is the most critically acclaimed new musical of the season, has already received three Tony Awards: Best Choreography, Best Costume Design for a Musical and Best Sound Design of a Musical! Featuring Kevin Mambo as Fela and Grammy award winner and multi-platinum recording artist Patti LaBelle! At the US tour Mitchelle Obama was among the dignitaries at the star studded launch. Read more.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
On the Issue of Nigerian Wife Killers
I recently read an article “Nigerian Men Wife-Killers In America!” on Icheokwu facade Being a fan of crime series, I couldn’t help but wonder why this was happening? The article chronicles a long list of Nigerian – American men who had decided to end their wives lives in such a gruesome manner. In the same vein, Idowu Olorunshogo’s take on the issue was skewed towards religion - typical of our myopic self-righteous Nigerian minds. But they represent both ends of the spectrum this ugly trend.I honestly tucked this away somewhere, as an issue that could be discoursed over a few pints at any local pub until I read about a Professor Chukwudubem Okafor of Kutztown University in Pennsylvania who recently took his own life after killing his Nigerian wife.
From all accounts, most seem to blame the men. The comments on each of these articles seems to suggest this men must be mad to go to such lengths to take action against something they can so easily walk away from. As true as that may be, and as easily as one can dismiss this as something that should be avoided, I don’t blame them at all.
Okay! Before I get eaten whole, let me explain why I think the above 3 sources miss the point – begging the question why is not just enough to solve this riddle. For me, I think our society is to blame, Yes the Nigerian society. Not only the one in Diaspora, but also at home. I will summaries my points 4 broad “Pressure Points”.
1. Social Pressure: The “Quest” for husbands.
I think our society places too much emphasis on marriage so much that young girls who know little or nothing about keeping a relationship all want to be wives as soon as they get a diploma or university degree. The stress is so much that, they don’t care who he is, what he looks like, how he earns a living, as long as he has a last name they can attach to theirs and is willing to walk down the aisle. Mothers start putting on this pressure on their daughters from as young as 19. It is crazy. It is so bad, that they make these girls hurry into marriage without adequate preparation. If you want to see all the hot chicks in your town, you only need to announce that a friend of yours who lives in the United States is home to hunt for a wife.
Though I consider myself a detribalized Nigerian, the Igbo girl typifies this madness for finding a husband. If you read the articles I sighted above, one thing jumps out at you – 99% of the cases are Igbo men. While one will be right to say, “Hey, its not Igbo girls killing their husbands, its the men”, What remains to be seen is why the Igbos? Why not Hausa, why not Edo?
2. Cultural Pressure – The Old Groom
Its a known fact that Igbo men don’t get married early. Not just out of convenience, but traditionally, a youth is expected to come of age before embarking on such an endeavor. I imagine (and I am sure some more mature people will agree) that a man is supposed to build his own hut, have his own farm land, before he can be called a man, before he can take a wife. It is unheard of in Igbo circles for a man to marry and still live with parents. This is in total contrast to the Yurobas, where the family help the couple to stand on their feet. The choice of which one is right or wrong is a matter of debate, but clearly, one can see that our ancient traditions still reflect in the way we live today. Instead of changing our tradition to suit today’s realities, we have chosen to remain locked on to ancient practices that have little if any significance in today’s world. Culture must be dynamic – it is time to throw those things that don’t work away. The time and energy needed to build a hut in 300 BC is not commensurate with that of building a bungalow today. So when a man toils all his life to make a “killing” just to qualify for marriage, he will go to any length to protect it by keeping anyone from literally taking away his life. When young 22 year old Nigerian girl is shipped off to a 45 year old man in USA as a bride, the only thing that should be expected is disaster. Forget that he may not even afford her an exciting lifestyle, how much more perform his marital obligation? That brings me to the next pressure point.
3. Sensual Pressure: eSex
Sex! Love!! Romamce!!! Don’t let anyone deceive you – it is very very important to both bride and groom. Even God bade Adam with that 1st command, “multiply and dominate the land” Sex is the yardstick by which many things are measured, like an old man once told me, “When you get to the bottom of most quarrels, you would find sex”.
Whether you agree or not, sex has moved on... missionary style has gone out of vogue. In the electronic age, everything should adopt that magical “e”, we have eMail, eGovernment, we also have eSex. The young couples today have experimented with all sorts of aphrodisiacs’, party drugs, sex toys, etc. Yes, you average 25 year old has explored more shapes of the Kama sutra, while her 45 year old counterpart thinks “69” is still the number before “70”. I wondered what this Prof thought when he picked such a young wife?
As a veteran, I know how important sex is to marriage, anyone should know that if she isn’t getting it from you, then she is getting it somewhere else. Some men think they can buy a woman’s love – even most young girls think they will be satisfied as long as the dough is flowing. No it may work for a while, but when the dust settles, our primordial urges takes charge. Still doesn’t stop people from trying.4. Financial Pressure – ATM machine
The love of money is the root of all evil. Picture a couple in an abusive relationship. Imagine both parties trying their best to get the upper hand. Picture that the law of the land is on your side, and there are many qualified lawyers willing to help you claim what is rightfully yours - That is the atmosphere couples face in the west. That is why many men kill spouses. Alimony, Possession of the family home, full custody of the kids, etc are all implements of warfare in the hands of American women. Nigerian women learn fast. At the heart of all these killings is a wife who wants to punish her husband by taking away all he has worked for. The question goes to both parties - Are they right? Will my wife be right to put me out in the street just because she no longer finds pleasure in me? As a friend of mine would say “Not feeling her pee”? But what about the Naija babes that are the bread winners of their homes?
“Nigerian nurses are their husbands ATM machines...” I laughed when I learnt that one. and I didn’t believe it until I got in touch with my long time friend who was shipped off to the USA to marry someone she scarcely knew. She already had a master’s degree by the time she left Nigeria – so I was alarmed to learn she was studying to be a nurse at the request of her husband. The issue is further exuberated when you consider that most of these men feel they literally made these girls who they are – brought them out of suffering, trained them in university, etc, only to see her running away after a few years. I don’t think I will be happy to know that I was just a ticket out of Nigeria.
No doubt this kind of behaviour has lead to an increase in failed marriages both at home and abroad. Until we as a people challenge these things as a people, chances are that this is just the beginning. And no amount of prayers can stop this.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Long Time No Write! Okay!
Its time to break the silence. Its been over 10 months since my last post here, and I am sure everyone is wondering what was happening to me.
For the past year and a half, we (Titi and I) have been running helter-skelter! Lagos, The UK, and India. Chisaa our little baby girl was diagnosed with a brain tumor and we fought long and hard to save her life, but as faith would have it – she passed on in May at a mere 2 years old. Life can be so cruel at times, make one wonder…
May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace.
I took a well deserved break from work to be with Titi and Chisom. Before long, I was bored and needed to keep my hands busy on another project. The first thing that came to my mind was….. Wait for it….. Electric Power!
Well you won’t believe it, but I have been trying to solve one of Nigeria’s oldest and perhaps most lingering problem – Electric Power generation.
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