Written by Noberth Nwahiri Saturday, 13 March 2010 07:33
Articles
When Albert Einstein was asked for an opinion on what he considered to be the two infinite things in existence, he submitted-the universe and human stupidity. He opined that he was not so very certain about the universe, but he was definite of the infinity of human stupidity. This submission cannot but be a masterstroke of genius. I never knew if he met any Nigerian in the course of his life, as to have gotten the right inspiration, or concrete example, for his certitude of stupidity as the only infinite reality.
What has just happened in Jos, Nigeria, isn't new, but an annual ritual in the North between Muslim extremists and Christians. The war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Umuechem (1990), by $hell Oil and the Federal Government is part of the ritual. The Ogoni genocide (1993-1996); those of Odi in 1999 are all such unfortunate ritual punishable under national or domestic, regional and international laws. But they may go unpunished because the perpetrators are presidents, powerful oil companies, individuals of high statuses and other state executive members.
It's criminal behaviors such as the above that necessitated the Nuremberg ad hoc tribunals of 1945. The tribunal was to bring to accountability, and it brought to accountability or justice war criminals.
It appears that we have not heard the last about the ethnic conflict in Jos and its environs. Last Sunday morning the world woke up to the consternation of an attack in some villages which were engulfed by the conflict when it recently broke out again last February. The scene that captured the attention of the world most is Dogo Nahauwa. Since the first broadcast of the deadly attack in that village by Aljazeerah, the international media has not ceased from sending its reporters to the village to update us on every development there.
The hue and cry over Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s right to contest for the office of the Presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is misconceived, inflammatory and disturbing. There have been inappropriate, misleading and mischievous references to the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) preference for a zoning system in this unfortunate debate.
Read more: Why Goodluck Jonathan Can Run for President in 2011
In Nigeria today, one of the new vocabularies used by all and sundry is the language ‘Jos Crisis.’ I have wondered why it is usually called ‘crisis’ each time it breaks out. The truth is that there is a WAR in Jos since September 7, 2001 that has defied solutions till today March 7, 2010. Early in the morning today, the worst dehumanization in the world history took place here in the city of Jos again in a small community called Dogo-Nahawa, near Rayfield. Rayfield is more of a privileged community of the elites and the well-to-dos but Dogo-Nahawa is a very low income community.
Acting President Goodluck Jonathan announced the sack of retired General Abdullahi Sarki Muktar from the position of National Security Adviser, NSA and replaced him with veteran security chief and retired senior General, Aliyu Mohammed Gusau. The new NSA is no stranger to the position having held it for most of the 8 years of the Obasanjo Presidency. Before that he has been in military intelligence and was briefly Army Chief. Sacking the National Security Adviser is a right step taken by Dr. Goodluck. But will this Gusau do better than Muktar? This is a story for another day.The NSA plays a significant role in ensuring the peace and stability of our beloved country.
Read more: Jonah Jang is still sitting there as a lame duck governor
I have sensed a disturbing complacency in our politicians and intellectuals as they try to enunciate democracy for the rest of us. They assume erroneously that democracy is its own justification — that simply being baptized with the moniker of democracy is sufficient. And that Nigerians, dispossessed they may be, will be satisfied with a political concept that, as currently practiced in Nigeria, stands empty of its substantive content.
2011 Elections and the Road to Nowhere: In the coming weeks and months there will appear to be feverish efforts and activities, all purportedly aimed at ensuring successful conduct of the general elections slated for next year 2011. This is against the infamous distinction that Nigeria has unfortunately earned as a place where free and fair elections cannot be expected.
Read more: A clarion call to Nigerians: Time for a new political order
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