Rebuilding the North East after insurgency
Since the emergence of Buhari’s government and the change mantra, which of course swept all over Nigeria like a tsunami, there has been a new lease of life to the armed forces under a new Commander in Chief and fearless service chiefs. There has been a progressive victory over insurgency especially in the north east […]
Since the emergence of Buhari’s government and the change mantra, which of course swept all over Nigeria like a tsunami, there has been a new lease of life to the armed forces under a new Commander in Chief and fearless service chiefs.
There has been a progressive victory over insurgency especially in the north east which hitherto was a blend of cosmetic lies and cheap propaganda making the insurgents appear invincible. Thank God now they are no longer invincible but visible bunch of lunatics that ravaged the lives of innocent people who know not their offenses.
The insurgency in the north east looks more like a conspiracy than an actual move to bring about the Boko Haramanization of the Nigerian state. With the deadline for the complete eradication of the insurgency just days away, no stone should be left unturned to clear its menace from the once peaceful states of the north east and its people.
However, the next line of action should be, upon the revival of the socio-economic life line of these states and freeing them from this inhuman bondage, perhaps is to start focusing our view and on their inclusiveness to the entity called ‘Nigeria’.
It will equally be disingenuous to assume that there isn’t a lot of work to be done in addressing the various lingering imbalances that brought about the conflict in the first instance, for the task ahead is Herculean. To take it lightly will portend more danger.
As a measure of proactiveness, it is imperative to consider the volume of destruction and its attendant consequences on the lives of our people. It is therefore incumbent for all and sundry to put all hands on deck to deliver the north east to what’s been called the promised land; in this case the promised status of a state among the commonwealth of Nigeria.
It may also be expedient to clinically look at these parameters below as a guide to avert the re-occurrence of such catastrophe (God forbid!) in the future:
1. ILLITERACY: People should have the right to be educated to become literate, posses the ability to differentiate what’s wrong from right. Therefore, education should be the first priority government in all the states especially Borno and Yobe should place a huge premium on. This may include, and not limited to, awareness creation, basic education, especially for the youth, stopping political hooliganism and truancy.
2. SOCIAL JUSTICE: People should be treated as human beings, and not vehicles of exploitation and abuse. The freedom of people and their rights must be protected; social vices must be addressed with a view to producing good and credible leaders as well as responsible and sincere followership. This must be taken with extreme caution to allow people among the greater community, where everyone enjoys all the basic necessities of life, from water to health, good roads, as well as conducive environment to fend for themselves and their respective families.
3. ZERO TOLERANCE TO POVERTY: There should and must be a holistic approach to dealing with all the elements of poverty. This can only be achieved if leaders match their words with actions, provide the desired solutions to fight poverty and attract growth.
The farmers, the traders, businessmen and women and other stakeholders must work harmoniously to generate pro-poor alternatives to dependency on government or politicians. There is no miracle to eliminate poverty, but there is an antidote to minimize its effect on the people. It’s through concerted effort to bridge the gap between the haves and the have nots; thus encouraging the development of bottom up approach in solving complex problems.
This will help in articulating ways to ease the transition from pre to post insurgency society , entrepreneurship development, value chain development as well as good, enabling and sustainable measures to reduce poverty to its barest level.
4. ENSURING THE PROTECTION OF LIVES AND PROPERTIES: The cardinal objective of any meaningful democratic government is to protect the lives and property of its people, safe guard their culture and means of livelihood, involve the community in state building, make life easy and affordable for the people under a peaceful and tranquil environment.
The people of the north east and indeed the people of Borno (where I come from) have endured perhaps the most painful and unimaginable torment. It is only their resilience and the conviction that only Allah can save them that kept hopes alive. The change they anticipated has indeed arrived and they will "suffer no more". People saw hell on earth, to remotely describe what this beautiful and peaceful state went through. It is to say the least a miracle that we are still alive. Months back, you won’t be wrong to assume that by now there would be no Borno, Yobe or Adamawa state, but God had better plans for them and today each state is proud to be among the commonwealth of the nation called Nigeria under a just leader.
One will never wish any Nigerian to go through what these states went through again even if he’s your worst enemy. Indeed, the future of the north east lies in the hands of the great people of the region who never for a single day for the last six years lost hope that one day just like any other day, this insanity will surely come to an end and by Allah, it has.
What the people and government need to do now is to reflect on the past, commit to the building of the present and be optimistic of the future. I have the hope and conviction too that this government of President Muhammadu Buhari will bring life back to our people, but for this to happen we must all come together and support and not disrupt, cherish not neglect, participate not reject the noble cause of returning our state back to its glory.
Like I mentioned earlier, it starts with you and I; let’s discourage this idea of blind obedience and open our hearts to see life as it truly is. Let’s help shape the future of our state so that our children and their children will have a better tomorrow. God bless Borno state! God bless the north east! And God bless Nigeria and the troops that lay their lives so that you and I can live peacefully in one Nigeria.