Suffering in the land

The days are full of evil. Suffering being a tool for manipulation for evil purposes is now visible in every nook and cranny of the country. Coincidentally, a  world-reknowned  reggae musician James Chambers, OM (born 30 July, 1944), known professionally as Jimmy Cliff, is a Jamaican reggae and soul musician,  sang a world-class song whose lyrics  explained the present economic and insecurity and security  problems facing Nigeria. Part of the lyrics says, “lt is plain to see we’re in a terrible situation Suffering’ in the land , Nearly half of the world on the verge of starvation, Suffering’ in the land, And the children are crying for more education, Suffering’ in the land, Let’s sing, Suffering’ in the land , The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Sufferin’ in the land, Everything’s gettin’ higher and the time gettin’ tougher, Sufferin’ in the land, They’re makin’ guns and bombs to set the world on fire, Sufferin’ in the land, I’m singin’, Sufferin’ in the land, Lord , there’s Sufferin’ in the land.”

   The sad situation pervades the streets  around the country. Only last Friday, this writer had gone to fix his car’s silencer and had taken shelter in my friend the welder’s shop . No sooner had l taken my seat than a man approached my friend Mr. Joseph Alhassan, the popular welder at Gaduwa junction, and whispered a sentence, “Oga, please help me with breakfast.”

     Indeed, he looked famished and pitiful, like a kwashiorkor patient. Instantly, Mr. Joe directed him to a local  food seller (Mama Put) who understood Mr. Joe’s body language. He confided in me that he attends to over five of such corporate beggars who operate all around the Federal Capital Territory virtually every week. I, however, encouraged him not to relent in his good philanthropic  works. The suffering is more in churches and mosques, where worshipers are more of beggars in the name of God. Suffering like opium often triggers criminal tendencies in a human being. No wonder a suffering lady can go into prostitution to look for money to satisfy her needs, so also a suffering unemployed youth can be lured into crime. One would wonder less when news of the emergence of a new terrorist group in the North-East and North-West. The emergence of the new group, known as Lakurawas, which is taking the fashion and style of Boko Haram by luring villagers with currency and foodstuff, as further explained by security observers shows that Nigeria over the years has proved to be fertile ground for terrorist activities. For instance, since the emergence of democracy the gun-running business has continued to increase at an alarming rate since only recently five million illegal firearms were destroyed on the instructions of the National Security Adviser (NSA); since the first democratic dispensation a to the time of President Olusegun Obasanjo, armed robbery and kidnapping were on the increase, as well as militancy in the Niger Delta . Also, President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration witnessed the birth of a deadly terrorist group, Boko Haram, that was unconquered and set off Nigeria’s war against terrorism, which was inherited by former President Muhammadu Buhari and birthed banditry and kidnapping for ransom. Again, not much success was achieved before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took over in 2023 inheriting Boko Haram and banditry, now with another vicious terrorist group, Lakuwara, whose objective is to further Islamize the country by inflicting pain and suffering on the people. In all, the country has lost over five million innocent Nigerians to the vicious activities of terrorists, including many very top military personnel. Record shows that economic growth in Nigeria slowed from 3.3% in 2022 to 2.9% in 2023 due to high inflation and sluggish growth in the global economy, which declined from 3.5% in 2022 to 3.2% in 2023. Growth was driven by services and agriculture on the supply side and by consumption and investment on the demand side. Despite ongoing efforts to combat crime and promote stability, several African regions, including South Africa, Angola and Nigeria, continue to struggle with high rates, which significantly impact their economies.

This is evident in deterring investments, impeding business growth and limiting job creation opportunities.

The index serves as an estimate of the overall crime level in a city or country, categorizing levels below 20 as very low, 20-40 as low, 40-60 as moderate, 60-80 as high, and above 80 as very high. Indeed the suffering in the land is attributable to low economic growth, poor governance and high rate of insecurity. The worsening economic situation has affected school attendance and many homes scaling down their feeding capacity and also increasing numbers of patients in hospitals due to poor medical facilities. If truly the government has come with a renewed hope agenda, then Nigerians should by now be experiencing better remuneration for workers, good living and medical conditions, better electricity service and good transportation system.

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Adieu, Prof. Humprey Nwosu (2)

The outcome of the panel headed by Rivers State Justice Robert Okara found Professor Ndili guilty in a 40-page white paper. The nine professors had amoug other things accused the former vice chancellor of financial mismanagement, abuse of office and dictatorial tendencies in running the affairs of the institution and this was upheld by the Justice Okara panel and ratified by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida. While covering the panel’s sitting in Nsukka for the National Concord newspaper as the chief correspondent, the panel seating was not only hellish but also traumatic, as my car was vandalized and the four tires  were deflated and it was the grace of Professor Humphrey Nwosu who graciously escorted me out of the university premises and lodged me at Millipart Hotel in Nsukka for protection before my car was returned to me. Professor Nwosu, a fighter for justice, subsequently arranged for police protection for all the journalists covering the panel sitting. Chidorum Nwakanma, a former student of the University of Nsukka and also past president of the Public Relations Consultants’ Association of Nigeria, who took courses public administration and Nigerian government under Professor Nwosu, described Nwosu as, “A political juggernaut who bestrode the political space of Nigeria as a colossus.” No wonder Babangida found Professor Nwosu worthy and capable to midwife the electoral body National Electoral Commission. Nwosu, the smiling, firm and courageous professor, eventually stamped his credibility on the electoral body with one of the best conducted presidential elections  in the country. Today, Professor Nwosu would be remembered as a fighter for justice and truth who did not allow journalists covering the Justice Okara panel to be intimidated by university cult groups. Adeiu, the great fighter.

(Concluded)