The visible realities on the ground across the country, speaks volume, so Nigerians that are facing the problem know that the government political and economic handshake have passed their shoulders and this is no longer a laughing matter but a very serious issue. Indeed, painful realities are often linked to situations that affects the daily living of the people. Like the noticeable economic woes and the palpable grave insecurity. Apart from the 1967 Nigerian war, when it was recorded that malnutrition wind blew across the affected war zone, where people suffered kwashiorkor and other related diseases, the level of insecurity at that time can be compared to the situation around the country today . Unfortunately, the pain being experienced around the country has eventually been transmitted to other spheres and even to our political leaders especially the legislators who are also feeling the impact of the hardship and suffering. Recently, one of the law makers who could no longer bear the pain is Mr Akin Rotimi representing the Ekiti 1(Ikole /Oye) federal constituency , who was reported to had thrown emotions away and bursted into tears as he was reading a motion during plenary session which was brought to the notice of members about the dastardly killing of two high class mornarchs, they are , the Onimojo of Imojo Ekiti. Oba Olatunji Olusola; and the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba Babatunde Ogunsola, while returning from a meeting in Irele-Ekiti .
It should be noted, that Mr Rotimi is also the spokesman of the house of representatives. So, his emotional outburst on the floor of the House ought to have attracted more publicity had other members from Ekiti, joined in the tears parade. Truely, as a teacher in Mayflower , l had friends from Ekiti who lost either their bossom friends and relatives and would not shed a drop of tear. This reality had over the years made me to classify Ekiti men and Fulani men as men with stony heart who would not dare shed tears no matter the circumstances. So, when the news broke that an Ekiti legislator was shedding tears on the floor of the house, my immediate reaction was, why this time around. Instantly I recalled a quote from a play written by Shakespeare where Julius Caesar was quoted as saying “ When beggars die, there are no comets seen; the heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes” . Indeed, Rotimi ought to shed tears afterall, he is their representative at the Federal level. But if more questions should be asked retrospectively, one would want to know if the death of the two traditional rulers were the only death from that constituency related to banditry in resent time. We have heard of other dastardly killings in that constituency yet we have never heard that any law maker from Ekiti had wept before other members while camera men and photographers criss cross the floor of the house to get the best shot for their various publications. Eventually, it was tears of Rotimi that attracted headline that Nigerians could relate with because the tears were from a legislator. As l write this piece, many ordinary and unknown Nigerians are daily being mercilessly killed by these ravaging bandits and many uncountable others had been kidnapped for ransome or murdered and these innocent Nigerians voted for legislators who are not ready to weep nor shed tears for the. Nigerians are known to be their neighbours keepers so let every concerned Nigerian step out to the streets and weep for the departed souls of fellow Nigerians or the government should approve a day for shedding of tears for the departed souls. Tears are the warm salty water that is released from a troubled soul. It quenches the fire that emanates from a disturbed soul. Rotimi has eventually taught Nigerians a lesson never to forget. A psychological lesson on how to use emotions as a tool for radical change and decision making. Behold, immediately after the tears were wiped away,. The power of tears swamg into action, as emotionally enveloped members of the house thereafter resolved to urge the Chief of Army Staff to redeploy the military to the outpost along the Oke-Ako area of Ekiti to enhance security and forestall a repeat of attacks resulting in the death of the two monarchs. The house was not done yet , stil under the spell of Rotimi’s tears, they also resolved to direct the Inspector General of Police, the Commandant General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp, and other security agencies to deploy more men to Ekiti North 1 and ensure that those who carried out that dastardly acts are fished out and brought to justice.
Similarly, the House urged the Chief of Defence Staff to establish civilian joint forces in Plateau State following the attacks which led to the deaths of over 50 persons in the Mangu Local Government Area of the state. Truely tears can move mountain. Except that Rotimi’s tears did not compel the legislators to direct that Nigerians should mark any particular day as “ A day of weeping and shedding tears” .
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Ben The Lion Heart mow on seat
Barely two weeks after this column eulogized and pointed out his professional competence and integrity to head the special intervention squad, a squad urgently set up by the lnspector General of police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun.
Commissioner of police Mr Ben Igwe left no one in doubt about his ability as he personally lead his men into the forest and standing gun for gun with the bandits that are giving residents of Abuja sleepless nights and bruised nose and collecting mouth watering ransome money.
Today, his exhibited gallantry has made the lGP to crown his effort to battle the bandits with the appointment as the first south easterner of lbo origin to be so appointed as the commissioner of police incharge of the Federal Capital territory.
Security File congratulates Ben Igwe and wishes him more arduous task to restore peace in the FCT.