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The frequency with which security-related incidents occur around the country and other parts of the world make human hearts to beat at an incredible rate. From the north to the south , east and west, insecurity takes different shape.
Coincidentally, part of the insecurity that has been bedevilling Nigerians is either natural disaster, xenophobia or insurrection in countries where they are domiciled, like in Sudan. Fighting in Sudan between the forces of two rival generals erupted on April 15, killing more than 400 people, igniting a humanitarian catastrophe and raising fears of a prolonged and unpredictable civil war.
Battles continue to rage in the capital, Khartoum, and elsewhere between troops loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed “Hemedti” Hamdan Daglo, commander of the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Why the conflict in Sudan is worrying its neighbours is that the conflict could draw in foreign armed groups and regional powers, and may have far-reaching consequences, not only for the country but also for an already unstable region.
A rapid military victory seems unlikely, experts agree, with al-Burhan’s army more powerful but Hemedti’s RSF excelling in urban warfare. The stage appears set for a lasting conflict.
During the South Africa xenophobic attack and the war in Ukraine and now Sudan, one name has stood out like the shining Northern Star, providing succour to stranded Nigerians, not minding that he is from one of the disadvantaged sections of the country.
His name is simply Mr. Allen Ifechukwu Onyema. Born in 1964 in Benin City, he hails from Ihiala, Anambra State.
He is a lawyer and entrepreneur who is the is the chief executive officer of Air Peace. It is on record that each time Nigerians are stranded and need to be evacuated, he would dispatch his planes with pilots and crew to evacuate Nigerians, as he recently did to help Nigerians leaving in war-torn Sudan, as his corporate social responsibility.
It is important to understand the operational risk involved.
It is commendable that he is a detribalised Nigerian puting his business at risk because his countrymen and women need help. The in-built lessons derivable from the Sudan evacuation operation are very significant and important to be inculcated in the hearts of our children, to help build the desired country we are all clamoring for, since the beginning of our democratic dispensation. To own and release an aeroplane for evacuation mission is not child’s play, not to putting into consideration the overall cost of the operation. In fact, it is very risky, economically, and, should calamity occur, the human cost could be devastating. Yet, a Nigerian son of lgbo extraction can sacrifice so much for the love of his fellow citizens. This is an encouraging attribute that needs to be inculcated in every Nigerian. The lessons, as I earlier noted, are numerous and they can change the present wrong mentality of our youths. The evil mentality of ethnicity, religious intolerance and other wrong and divisive attributes shpuld change. This unique generosity of Mr. Onyema should be emulated by all and sundry. By positioning himself and his business to selflessly carry the cross of over 4,000 stranded Nigerians is a clear attribute of the tenets of his background and belief as a Christian. What this means is that religion should be a tool for blessing, change and generosity, instead of being used as tool of destruction and wickedness.
Charles Awuzie, a social commentator, while analyzing Mr. Onyema’s evacuation programme, said, “You need me, I need you. Okon needs Abubakar. Segun needs Nnamdi, Mary needs Aisha, and vice-versa. You may win the presidency while I control the economy. You need me and I need you. Your candidate may win the gubernatorial seat, while I have the ideas and contacts to develop the state; you need me, I need you.
“Onyema has proved that Nigeria can work, if we throw away tribalism and hold each other’s hands in difficult times.”
Even as the country passes through difficult situations caused by a few evil-minded people, yet, with a new heart, such people can help in contributing their quota to human development, in the overall interest of the country.
The Sudanese experience has exposed how uncoordinated the President Muhammadu Buhari’s government has been operating since inception. Its lackadaisical and sluggish actions each time there is a security emergency that would affect ordinary Nigerians leave much to be desired. It was the same story in South Africa, the Caribbean, Ukraine and, now, Sudan. There are Nigerian Air Force troop carrier planes that could have been deployed for this evacuation operation, instead of the $1.2 million being expended on hiring buses, like other affected countries did deploy their military planes, instead of wasting precious time setting up irrelevant committees just because they want money to be involved. This evil tendency has crippled everything in the country. No wonder no one is ready to offer any assistance to help anyone in trouble, if money is not attached from government parastatals to government agencies: money answereth all things, money has become the god of most Nigerians.
Today, people pretend to offer help to accident victims for monetary gain or they loot the victims’ belongings.
Today, neighbours expect reward for offering help to their neighbour. Friends demand assistance before offering help or after offering help. It is the same with our security agents, who have changed hospitality to exchange of monetary gain. Good enough, there are still good Nigerians who exhibit the true spirit of a true Nigerian. These traits should be inculcated in our children, in schools, churches and mosques, for the overall development of the country.
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May 29: Security agencies rejig (1)
As usual when a new landlord is expected to take over a building he has purchased, the tenants eagerly await the personality of the new landlord with great expectations.
Such is the situation in Nigeria, as everyone, including the international community, looks forward to the handover on May 29, 2012.
Hopefully, on May 29, a new landlord (President) would be sworn in.
Indeed, security institutions with patriotic zeal and comportment need not be told when there is a change of political baton before they arrange their agencies in order to present a strategic agenda by documenting their achievements and proffer better ways of development, in accordance with their constitutional mandate.
Like the biblical 10 virgins waiting to be urshered into the wedding hall, when the anticipated broom arrives, surprisingly, only five of the virgins were ready with their lamps lit when the great guest arrived.
As l write this piece, no one truly knows the mind of the incoming President of Nigeria. Even those who think they know him may eventually discover that, on the day he is sworn in as President, a new spirit would enter him either for good or for bad. He may follow the constitution or sidetrack it.
(To be continued)
