The word “Hopeful” has suddenly become the sing song of every one occupying leadership position in the country. All we hear from political, traditional security and religious leaders each time they address the people, surprisingly their addresses usually ends with the suiting word , “Be hopeful”. Being in a hopeful situation presupposes that the person state of mind is ready and very receptive to positive information. The type of information being disseminated by our leaders holding polItical, traditional, religious and security. They comfort us with soothing words by reminding us that all hope is not lost, assuring us that we should be hopeful no matter how bad the situation is. Let’s start from the president, who refused to bow to presure to down size his large cabinet and even proceeded to acquire a new presidential jet and a very expensive jeep estimated to cost a whooping billion of our already devalued naira. Yet, during his maiden media chat, he urged Nigerians, to be patient and hopeful. Interestingly depressed and angry Nigerians who are feeling the economic depression did not take to the streets like the people of Rwanda and South Africa. Instead they troop to religious houses to commune with their creator for the needed comfort and hope. Hope that is hung only on faith building. They believe their religious leaders even more than their political leaders who are getting richer while the poor are getting poorer. The people encourage themselves, toiling like the israelites under the heavy yoke of Pharaoh. No wonder the number of unproductive children and unemployed youths had continued to increase and multiply only for them to later become tools of destruction in the hands of terrorists within and outside the boarders of the country. We remember, how a former leader wasted our funds constructing hundreds of kilometers long rail road from northern Nigeria to a neighbouring country without any consideration for security implications and economic effects on the country. Today, the results are all over the country. The supposedly good gesture is hunting the country in so many ways and adding to the insecurity problems to the military. Although, efforts on the ground are evidently showing some respite, yet, the hoodlums are unrelenting. So, if the military needs rest, then all hands must be on the desk with every determination. If we should ask a petinent question, is the military not tired of fighting terrorist war?. The holy scripture says, “There is time for every thing under the heavens. A time to war and a time for peace .”
Unfortunately, in Nigeria the military hierarchy often shy away from probing questions about the casuality figure of fallen soldiers at the war. Afterall, these soldiers are sons and daughters of Nigerians and their welfare were carried by Nigerians, so, it is time to have information about the casuality figure of soldiers killed so far in over a decade long war against terrorists and bandits. This writer once asked a former chief of Army staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai at the Army war zone in Sambisa, he declined to answer the question. If other countries can divulge such important information, why the secrecy? Maybe, the country knowing the exact number of dead heroes of insurgency war, we may not be behaving like this, like a forgetful people. When people are not forgetful, then they can be hopeful . ( Wishing all my readers a hopeful new year )
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Mbama Okiro eyeing Ohanaeze presidency
The name, Sir Mike Mbama Okiro is known in the circle of security practitioners and many Nigerians. Infact, his name resonates in many places because of his intellectual sagacity, outstanding professionalism and profound love for humanity. Okiro’s name became noticeable when as a final year student of the University of lbadan, he got enlisted into the Nigeria Police when his colleagues and parents were expecting the brilliant Okiro to accept a waiting job with an oil company. However, after many years of service as a police officer, his star started to show when his patrol team dismantled a robbery gang in Enugu. Again, his star shown when he personally arrested a robbery gang leader in Markudi, an action that warranted his immediate transfer to Lagos state command as the Deputy commissioner incharge of operations. That was when armed robbers like Shina Rambo and lshola Oyenusi held sway viciously attacking innocent residents of Lagos state. Mbama Okiro selected some police officers to find lasting solution to the robbery attacks. Sequel to his operational ingenuity. Okiro was given double promotion from the rank of a Commissioner of police to the enviable rank of a Deputy Inspector General of Police and before we could spell JACK ROBINSON, fate and destiny had catapulted him to the enviable number one position as the twelfth indegenous lnspector General of Nigeria police force. The question had always been, what separates Okiro and makes him unique from other lGPs of the police. His ingenuity in fashioning out solutions to integrate criminal problems facing the country. He profer lasting solution to incessant bank robbery in the country, when he encouraged every bank to install automatic electronic body scanners at their entrance gate, and urged the president to compel all the banks in the country to acquire billion vans for the movement of cash. He also introduced the operational use of A-K assault rifle for the police. This security measure drastically reduced bank robbery in the country. He also introduced the close circuit camera television (CCTV) which he presented to President Musa Yardua after an official trip to Scotland Yard, London. Today, the tireless police officer is once again planning to step into the rough turf of traditional politics, as he contests for the privileged position of President General of Ohaneze of lgbo race. As a contender, and being a tough cope, tongues are already wagging if he is qualified. Indeed, as a proud son of Mgbede, Egbema in Ogba / Egbema / Ndoni Local government Area, an ibo speaking area of River State. Okiro told this writer of his burning desire to restore back the image of Easterners and unite them for the great task ahead and helping to ensure that lgbos regain back their lost glory. Ohaneze needs a man of stener quality , a man who loves his people , a man who fits into the shoes of old Moses of old , who is ready to save mdi’igbo from political manipulation and help them to regain their lost glory. A man who is ready to bring new ideas that would Forster the unity and progress of mdi’igbo for the overall interest of the country. Unlike cultural and traditional groups in the north , South and the west , the apex Igbo group needs a very articulated, foresighted and one that can be the anticipated bridge builder between Ndi Igbo and the rest of Nigeria. As the inspector General of police, he Forster better relationship between the Nigeria police and other security agencies. Also ,he linked the police to enjoy more international benefits and exposure. It is also expected that he intends to open more doors for Igbo sons and daughters in diaspora to be home looking and invest more locally.
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