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An American author of self-help books, Melody Beattie, defined the Thanksgiving as “Gratitude that makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” Since the calendar changed from 2025 to 2026, the word, “Thanksgiving” has again become a sing song on the lips of everyone in the country- from the federal to states and local governments’ functionaries. Social, religious, educational and financial institutions among others are not left out too. And even the bizzare: Terrorists! They are also thankfull for their “successes”. What a nauseating audacity! Imagine this: Report say in the neighbouring Niger Republic, Islamic terrorists and insurgents in that country rolled out the drums to express gratitude to “Allah” for the successes of their campaign of terror.
I’m sure that in the coming days, their comrades in Nigeria- terrorists, bandits ,kidnappers and armed robbers- will replicate the same- They will express gratitude to “God” for either saving their lives during operation or granting them successful outings. Many years ago,an armed robber, Tony Ikiagwu alias Tony Montana confessed to me in an exclusive interview which I later published in my book, “Dark Clouds: Confessions of Notorious Armed Robbers in Nigeria”, that “we give thanks at the end of the year for successful arm robbery operational exploits”.
At the level of government, many state governments have made it a yearly ritual to organise Thanksgiving services at the end or beginning of the year to express heart felt gratitude to God Almighty for His benevolence, protection and goodness and mercy towards the governors and the people of the states.Lagos and Akwa Ibom states took the practice to another dimension recently by airing it live on TV with many religious leaders in attendance.
Security agencies whose personnel are at the forefront of the battle against terrorists and criminals operating across the country and terror victims who either escaped from the den of terrorists or were released after payment of ransoms are also in the business of Thanksgiving.
According to records, over 7500 Nigerians have been kidnapped in the recent past while 1,056 were killed by terrorists, leaving the families of the affected victims in perpetual pain and anguish.
In Nigeria, Thanksgiving comes in different shades. While some involve outward expression of joy-singing and dancing- others are simply expression of verbal gratitude to God Almighty.
And who says Thanksgiving does not produce positive results? It does! Ask all those who defamed the President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio! Senator Akpabio! At a New Year mass at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital, Senator Akpabio revealed how the spirit of God spoke to him through the sermon of the officiating priest to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits he had instituted against several individuals. He said he was greatly moved by the counsel of the Priest.
According to Akpabio, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
The yearly Thanksgiving ritual also helps stabilise floundering homes and marriages. Many husbands are known to have forgiven their erring wives and and many wives forgiven erring husbands after attending or listening to Thanksgiving sermons.
Forgiveness is a cleansing tonic but should this be extended to terrorists? Definitely NO! I don’t believe that terrorists should be forgiven.He/she who willfully sheds another person’s blood must have their own blood shed. Period. The same ground that soaked the blood of the victims
must also soak the blood of the killers. For those who do not know, let me make it known here that blood speaks and there is life in blood. This explains why the Christian holy book, the Bible recorded how the blood of Abel spoke to God and demanded for revenge. So, I propose that there should be a rethinking of the deradicalization, rehabilitation and reintegration policy of the Military towards the so- called repentant killer terrorists, terrorists who have blood in their hands. Pardon should not be granted to mass murderers- murderers of innocent Nigerians-claiming they are repentant.
Nigeria should urgently review its terrorism fighting strategy by establishing a special federal courts specifically designated for corruption and terrorism trials. By so doing, the trial and punishment of arrested terrorists and corrupt individuals will be swift and precise; it will send a clear signal to would- be terrorists and corruption minded individuals: That the long arm of the law will always catch up with bad, undesirable elements, evil doers, killers. Nigeria will be better with such a special court.
May 2026 be kind to us all!
Security hints for the week ( culled from the book, Dark
1.Before retiring to bed check all your doors and windows. Never leave this to servants
2. Pin down your car doors while in hold ups
3. Valuable objects should be locked away in a solid drawer and safe
4.Avoid taking lifts and giving lifts to unknown persons
5. Do not leave any proof that you have travelled from your house or business premises
6. Provide burglary proof to your business premises when you travel
7. Do not leave valuable items in your car
8. If the key to any locker,cupboard,wardrobe or door is lost,replace the lock at once
8. Do not open your door to unknown persons and teach your household the same
9. Don’t display your mobile handset while driving
10. Ensure that you park your car where eyes can see it after locking it
11. Ladies handbags should be hidden under the car seat while driving.
12. Keep your vehicle particulars in your bag not in the car
13. Report any suspicious movement or face within your vicinity to the police
14. Employ only registered uniform security guards and ensure you have the passport of your maids,driver,cleaner and any other official or domestic staff
15. When driving and there is a hold-up, wind up your glass or remove your wrist watch, neck chain or your mobile phone.
16. Housing Estates should install a centralized alarm system
17. Female drivers should wind up their car glasses when approaching hold-up areas
18. Keep your secret information to yourself or wife if necessary
19. Provide rein-enforced burglary proof to large size building doors
20. Engage a trained security officer to keep an eye on employees, customers and clients
