BUHARI’S APPOINTMENTS: ETHNICITY OR COMFORTABILITY:

Ethnicity plays such a major part in the consciousness of Nigerians so much that, once a list of appointees are released, as most Nigerians go through the list, instead of accessing the strength of the individuals, they immediately attempt to group the appointees by ethnicity, religion or clans.

Is Muhammadu Buhari an ethnic bigot? I would rather argue, that ethnicity may not be at the back of his mind when these appointments are made, rather in putting together his core team, he goes for colleagues, and professionals most of whom he is comfortable with, who only happen to be northerners by tribe.  Definitely, it is not a northern agenda as some have opined, I would prefer to call it “comfort level appointments”.

Comfort level appointments are not new all over the world. Remember more than 20 Harvard Law School classmates of Barack Obama where in his transition team and later made his initial government. Did Americans cry over the fact he appointed mostly his classmates? No.  Also, the world of Chicago politics produced his most influential advisers, including chief campaign strategist David Axelrod and businesswoman Valerie Jarrett.  So you can see that most leaders, upon assuming office, appoint people closest to them.

Why should Buhari be viewed differently? Fortunately, most people in Buharis inner circles, majority happen to be Northerners, not by choice, but by birth. Do we really need to hold that against them?  Ethnicity plays the same role as classmate’s relationships.

Let’s take on David Cameron,  British Prime Minister, he surrounded himself with his classmates from Eton College. His core advisers were a clique, a network of friends — the friends he made at school, friends he made at university. So Presidents and leaders, starting their governments with their close friends and aides is nothing new.

Also, lets come back home.  Remember, when Donald Duke brought his close friend from Oron Akwa Ibom state to be the head of Cross River State Economic development office in Washington DC is 1999?

While in Washington, Larry Esin directed CRS’ foreign direct investment program and developed initiatives to encourage private enterprise development in strategic industries. Most people even argued at a point, that development projects Donald initiated were mostly Larry Esin concepts. Again, bringing your buddies to work with you is not new in modern day governments.

Now the big question:  Why is Buhari’s case viewed differently? The answer is simple. “Resource control” and the “psychology of belonging’.

What this means is that when appointments are made, traditionally, Nigerians expect that “our man is there”, so he bring government largesse to us. That is the mentality of sharing the national cake. However, many will be disappointed with my line of thought.

The change Buhari talked about and the change we all advocated for was not the change to share national cake as we had in the past, it was the change of building Nigeria.  As Nigerians, we have a choice to make, we can continue to share our resources or we can decide to build our country.  If it will take all Hausas, or Yoruba’s or Efiks to make Nigeria work again, let’s give it a try.

The second and most annoying aspect of this argument is the “psychology of belonging”. Most Nigerians are just contented that someone from their tribe is in office, even if he benefits nothing all through the person’s tenure in office. This is a regressive mentality and will continue to perpetuate underdevelopment in our society.

Thousands of people from Otta Obasanjo’s town, have no jobs, no houses, and no food and yet their son was once a President. Thousands of people from Otueke, Jonathans town, have no portable drinking water, no jobs, no houses, cannot afford to pay the school fees of their children, yet they are contented their son was President. Nigerians should come to a mentality that where a leader comes from is irrelevant, what matters is his ability to deliver.

Fellow Nigerians, let’s get it right, it is not about where a man comes from, it is about what he can deliver and how he can change your life. This is the mentality that can change Nigeria, and I pray my generation will live to judge men, not by their ethnicity or place of origin, but by the content of their character and place of residence.

A Yoruba boy who was born in Calabar, went to school in Calabar, his parent’s pay taxes to Cross River state government, all his friends are mostly in Calabar, should be accepted as an indigene of Cross River state, and should be entitled to all benefits our people have, that’s the new Nigeria we want. Remember the old national anthem? Though tribes and tongues may differ in brotherhood we stand.

Finally, I understand some maybe quick to point out “federal character”, zoning, state-ism and religion in appointments, I understand all of that. But if you want to know the truth, those federal character, zoning, state-ism, ethnicity and religion is everything wrong with Nigeria.

The biggest impediment to Nigeria’s development today is leadership. However, ethnic sentiments has made it difficult to attain national development. Example, if the EFCC start probing politicians, rather than applaud their work, we start counting how many Hausas and Yoruba’s been convicted.

If Nigeria must move forward, we need to make a choice. Either we decide to build on an ethnic free future and move on to great heights, or we continue to hold on ethnic sentiments, state-ism and zoning and remain backward.

Now that Buhari has started his appointments, the question should not be the tribes of his new hires, rather the question should be: Are these appointees qualified to deliver the goods and to build a new Nigeria?

Buharis initial appointees are mostly  those close to him, if they are all Hausas should not be over emphasized, what should concern us at this time is, can they really deliver.

Obama started with over 20 of his Harvard classmates, Cameron of Britain started with most of his school mates from Eton College, Buhari is starting with most of his political aides and associates  majority of whom happen to be Hausas, not by choice but by birth,  lets us not over labor the fact, Nigeria’s biggest problem continue to be leadership and ethnicity, zoning, religion has over the years kept some of our very best away, Let us support Buharis vision of change,  it’s not so much about sharing the national cake, this time around it is about baking the cake. The channel through which this cake is baked is irrelevant, let’s make Nigeria work.

Princewill Odidi writes from Atlanta USA

ISLAM IS PEACE, EID EL KABIR MESSAGE:

Assalamalaikum warahmatul Allah wa barkatu ammah ba'ad.
May the love of Allah the Most Beneficent and Most Merciful order the steps of the faithful into rightful guidance as we commemorate Sallah of this year.

Muslims globally celebrates eid el Kabir and as friend, brother who is alhul kitaab, I join the Muslim ummah on this day of great blessings. 

Islam is foundation on peace no wonder all pleasantries commence with assalamalaikum. Islam is a religion of care as exemplified in the life of Prophet Muhammad, pbuh. The selfless sacrifices of trusted Companions, Abubakar, Umar, Ali, Uthman alongside other guided Companions attested to the fact that humanity is cardinal to Islam.

On a day like this it is imperative to reflect on these virtues to keep us within rightful guidance. It is not debatable that Islam is knowledge because the first revelation to the Holy Messenger is instructive, "read in the name of your God who created all things". Subsequently, the Hadith provides that "search for knowledge as far as Sigh". Therefore can one be a Muslim without knowledge? I think it will be dangerous.

The bane of contemporary Islam is half knowledge couple with self pride motivated by the desire for relevance. Humility and submission to the supreme will of God has been replaced by desire for material consideration. This unfortunate scenario accounts for the rising profile of extremism in Islam. The lack of knowledge of Islam has also created phobia amongst Christians and other non Muslims. 

Today Islam is misconceived by many as synonymous with violence. This negative perception had generated hatred which politicians in Nigeria has exploited for their selfish interests. We must collectively reject these pervasive orientation which has done us no good. I hereby challenge the Muslim faithfully to reclaim this religion of peace from captivity of violent elements. Muslims should distinguish themselves from acts that cannot be reconcile with the life and times of the Holy Prophet. 

Those advocating violence as modern Islam should carry us along by conviction. Is there compulsion in religion? Or is there another revelation and to who that mandates Muslims to compel people to join Islam? "There is no compulsion in religion but it's a matter of conviction" Therefore, I find it incredible to accept intolerance as part of Islam because how can the covenant of St. Catherine then be explained? Christians were protected under the leadership of the Holy messenger, why will anybody kill them today in the name of jihad? All those who are engaged in such evil practices are political Muslims but certainly not followers of the man of peace, Muhammad, pbuh.

I join Muslims to celebrate eid el Kabir and enjoin all to return to true teaching of the Holy Quran and Hadith. As you celebrate, remember to discharge the burden of members of your community. It is recorded that during eid el Kabir, the Messenger of God slaughtered two rams, one for his family and the other for members of his community. As alhul kitaab, Iam a neighbour therefore send me my ram. 

May peace and love flourish amongst Nigerians as we march towards the promise land under the leadership of the man of destiny, Mr. Belong to everybody and belong to nobody.  I love you all.
Allahuma taqabalalulahi minna wa minkum,
Eid Mubarak
Solomon Dalung, LLB, BL,LLM

STF Engaged Berom Militia Yesterday for the First Time

As the siege on Bisichi, the shooting of the STF officer that led troops to the village on Tuesday, the killing of innocent passengers all by Berom militia continued, the STF rose to the occasion for the first time yesterday afternoon when it confronted the militia head on. The troops inflicted heavy casualties on the militia, killing many and arresting about twenty.

This is the first time the STF in Jos took a decisive move to bring the recalcitrant Berom militia to book. Hitherto, all STF efforts were limited to appeasing them or aiding them whenever they carry out their now customary destruction of lives and property of other citizens in the three Berom dominated local government areas of Plateau State.

It will be recalled that passengers in two transit buses passing through Du district, from where the former governor David Jonah Jang hails, were stopped on Monday and Tuesday this week. Many of the passengers were killed by Berom militia while others are still unaccounted for.

Passengers are advised to avoid roads in the three local governments of Jos South, Riyom and Barikin Ladi until when the situation is under control.

The STF in Jos had a new commander just last Monday. It is hoped that with the change of government at the centre, he will give those criminals behind the unrests on the Plateau a good run for their money. He cannot achieve this goal without taking the following measures immediately:

1. Disarming the Berom militia

2. Confiscating hidden Berom armouries

3. Revoking any security agreement between the State and with Isreal

4. Arresting and prosecuting their sponsors, and 

5. Redeploying their allies and sympathizers among the STF commanders out of the command.

It is high time for those sponsoring trouble on the Plateau to note that the security command of this country is no longer in the hand of Goodluck Jonathan, Sambo Dasuki and Minimah. Its in the hands of no nonsense people: Buhari, Monguno and Burutai. At home, they must note that Jang is no longer the governor but a fugitive in the making. It is now the time of Solomon Lalong. If this does not sink into the brains of the criminals on the Plateau, then the criminals have a very big problem at hand. Some of them yesterday did not live overnight to tell their stories today, while the survivors are there facing a music different from the choir of Jonah Jang at the STF headquarters. Let the terrorists tell the authorities the whereabouts of Tuesday's missing passengers before they are ferried to Abuja to be charged with terrorism, like their Boko Haram counterparts.

We Nigerians are for peace and whoever is ready to embrace it. We are for the fundamental, constitutional human rights of all citizens irrespective of their tribe, religion or affiliations.

Finally, now that the sacred cows are getting a beating too, there is hope for a lasting peace on the Plateau.

Dr. Aliyu U. Tilde

President Buhari Inaugural Speech May 2015

Inaugural speech by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari following his swearing-in as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 29th May, 2015

I am immensely grateful to God Who Has preserved us to witness this day and this occasion. Today marks a triumph for Nigeria and an occasion to celebrate her freedom and cherish her democracy. Nigerians have shown their commitment to democracy and are determined to entrench its culture. Our journey has not been easy but thanks to the determination of our people and strong support from friends abroad we have today a truly democratically elected government in place.

I would like to thank President Goodluck Jonathan for his display of statesmanship in setting a precedent for us that has now made our people proud to be Nigerians wherever they are. With the support and cooperation he has given to the transition process, he has made it possible for us to show the world that despite the perceived tension in the land we can be a united people capable of doing what is right for our nation. Together we co-operated to surprise the world that had come to expect only the worst from Nigeria. I hope this act of graciously accepting defeat by the outgoing President will become the standard of political conduct in the country.

I would like to thank the millions of our supporters who believed in us even when the cause seemed hopeless. I salute their resolve in waiting long hours in rain and hot sunshine to register and cast their votes and stay all night if necessary to protect and ensure their votes count and were counted. I thank those who tirelessly carried the campaign on the social media. At the same time, I thank our other countrymen and women who did not vote for us but contributed to make our democratic culture truly competitive, strong and definitive.

I thank all of you.

Having just a few minutes ago sworn on the Holy Book, I intend to keep my oath and serve as President to all Nigerians.

I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.

A few people have privately voiced fears that on coming back to office I shall go after them. These fears are groundless. There will be no paying off old scores. The past is prologue.

Our neighbours in the Sub-region and our African brethenen should rest assured that Nigeria under our administration will be ready to play any leadership role that Africa expects of it. Here I would like to thank the governments and people of Cameroon, Chad and Niger for committing their armed forces to fight Boko Haram in Nigeria.

I also wish to assure the wider international community of our readiness to cooperate and help to combat threats of cross-border terrorism, sea piracy, refugees and boat people, financial crime, cyber crime, climate change, the spread of communicable diseases and other challenges of the 21st century.

At home we face enormous challenges. Insecurity, pervasive corruption, the hitherto unending and seemingly impossible fuel and power shortages are the immediate concerns. We are going to tackle them head on. Nigerians will not regret that they have entrusted national responsibility to us. We must not succumb to hopelessness and defeatism. We can fix our problems.

In recent times Nigerian leaders appear to have misread our mission. Our founding fathers, Mr Herbert Macauley, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Malam Aminu Kano, Chief J.S. Tarka, Mr Eyo Ita, Chief Denis Osadeby, Chief Ladoke Akintola and their colleagues worked to establish certain standards of governance. They might have differed in their methods or tactics or details, but they were united in establishing a viable and progressive country. Some of their successors behaved like spoilt children breaking everything and bringing disorder to the house.

Furthermore, we as Nigerians must remind ourselves that we are heirs to great civilizations: Shehu Othman Dan fodio’s caliphate, the Kanem Borno Empire, the Oyo Empire, the Benin Empire and King Jaja’s formidable domain. The blood of those great ancestors flow in our veins. What is now required is to build on these legacies, to modernize and uplift Nigeria.

Daunting as the task may be it is by no means insurmountable. There is now a national consensus that our chosen route to national development is democracy. To achieve our objectives we must consciously work the democratic system. The Federal Executive under my watch will not seek to encroach on the duties and functions of the Legislative and Judicial arms of government. The law enforcing authorities will be charged to operate within the Constitution. We shall rebuild and reform the public service to become more effective and more serviceable. We shall charge them to apply themselves with integrity to stabilize the system.

For their part the legislative arm must keep to their brief of making laws, carrying out over-sight functions and doing so expeditiously. The judicial system needs reform to cleanse itself from its immediate past. The country now expects the judiciary to act with dispatch on all cases especially on corruption, serious financial crimes or abuse of office. It is only when the three arms act constitutionally that government will be enabled to serve the country optimally and avoid the confusion all too often bedeviling governance today.

Elsewhere relations between Abuja and the States have to be clarified if we are to serve the country better. Constitutionally there are limits to powers of each of the three tiers of government but that should not mean the Federal Government should fold its arms and close its eyes to what is going on in the states and local governments. Not least the operations of the Local Government Joint Account. While the Federal Government can not interfere in the details of its operations it will ensure that the gross corruption at the local level is checked. As far as the constitution allows me I will try to ensure that there is responsible and accountable governance at all levels of government in the country. For I will not have kept my own trust with the Nigerian people if I allow others abuse theirs under my watch.

However, no matter how well organized the governments of the federation are they can not succeed without the support, understanding and cooperation of labour unions, organized private sector, the press and civil society organizations. I appeal to employers and workers alike to unite in raising productivity so that everybody will have the opportunity to share in increased prosperity. The Nigerian press is the most vibrant in Africa. My appeal to the media today – and this includes the social media – is to exercise its considerable powers with responsibility and patriotism.

My appeal for unity is predicated on the seriousness of the legacy we are getting into. With depleted foreign reserves, falling oil prices, leakages and debts the Nigerian economy is in deep trouble and will require careful management to bring it round and to tackle the immediate challenges confronting us, namely; Boko Haram, the Niger Delta situation, the power shortages and unemployment especially among young people. For the longer term we have to improve the standards of our education. We have to look at the whole field of medicare. We have to upgrade our dilapidated physical infrastructure.

The most immediate is Boko Haram’s insurgency. Progress has been made in recent weeks by our security forces but victory can not be achieved by basing the Command and Control Centre in Abuja. The command centre will be relocated to Maiduguri and remain until Boko Haram is completely subdued. But we can not claim to have defeated Boko Haram without rescuing the Chibok girls and all other innocent persons held hostage by insurgents.

This government will do all it can to rescue them alive. Boko Haram is a typical example of small fires causing large fires. An eccentric and unorthodox preacher with a tiny following was given posthumous fame and following by his extra judicial murder at the hands of the police. Since then through official bungling, negligence, complacency or collusion Boko Haram became a terrifying force taking tens of thousands of lives and capturing several towns and villages covering swathes of Nigerian sovereign territory.

Boko Haram is a mindless, godless group who are as far away from Islam as one can think of. At the end of the hostilities when the group is subdued the Government intends to commission a sociological study to determine its origins, remote and immediate causes of the movement, its sponsors, the international connexions to ensure that measures are taken to prevent a reccurrence of this evil. For now the Armed Forces will be fully charged with prosecuting the fight against Boko haram. We shall overhaul the rules of engagement to avoid human rights violations in operations. We shall improve operational and legal mechanisms so that disciplinary steps are taken against proven human right violations by the Armed Forces.

Boko Haram is not only the security issue bedeviling our country. The spate of kidnappings, armed robberies, herdsmen/farmers clashes, cattle rustlings all help to add to the general air of insecurity in our land. We are going to erect and maintain an efficient, disciplined people – friendly and well – compensated security forces within an over – all security architecture.

The amnesty programme in the Niger Delta is due to end in December, but the Government intends to invest heavily in the projects, and programmes currently in place. I call on the leadership and people in these areas to cooperate with the State and Federal Government in the rehabilitation programmes which will be streamlined and made more effective. As ever, I am ready to listen to grievances of my fellow Nigerians. I extend my hand of fellowship to them so that we can bring peace and build prosperity for our people.

No single cause can be identified to explain Nigerian’s poor economic performance over the years than the power situation. It is a national shame that an economy of 180 million generates only 4,000MW, and distributes even less. Continuous tinkering with the structures of power supply and distribution and close on $20b expanded since 1999 have only brought darkness, frustration, misery, and resignation among Nigerians. We will not allow this to go on. Careful studies are under way during this transition to identify the quickest, safest and most cost-effective way to bring light and relief to Nigerians.

Unemployment, notably youth un-employment features strongly in our Party’s Manifesto. We intend to attack the problem frontally through revival of agriculture, solid minerals mining as well as credits to small and medium size businesses to kick –start these enterprises. We shall quickly examine the best way to revive major industries and accelerate the revival and development of our railways, roads and general infrastructure.

Your Excellencies, My fellow Nigerians I can not recall when Nigeria enjoyed so much goodwill abroad as now. The messages I received from East and West, from powerful and small countries are indicative of international expectations on us. At home the newly elected government is basking in a reservoir of goodwill and high expectations. Nigeria therefore has a window of opportunity to fulfill our long – standing potential of pulling ourselves together and realizing our mission as a great nation.

Our situation somehow reminds one of a passage in Shakespeare’s Julius Ceasar There is a tide in the affairs of men which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life, Is bound in shallows and miseries.

We have an opportunity. Let us take it.

Thank you

Muhammadu Buhari President Federal Republic of NIGERIA and Commander in-Chief

"CHRISTIANS ARE AHLUL KITAAB AND NOT KAFIR"

 Knowledge as a social phenomenon is a continuous process. As far one exists on this planet the limit of awareness remains in exhaustible. This was my personal experience when I attended an International Peace Conference organized by Sokoto State Government in conjunction with Muslim World League held at the Auditorium of Sultan Maccido Institute for Quar'an and General Studies Sokoto from 29th-30th March 2013 under the theme, "Islam and the fundamentals of peaceful co-existence in Nigeria".

Scholars from all over the Muslim world were in attendance as well as Christian and Islamic preachers from Nigeria were invited. Unfortunately, there was poor representation from Christian leadership, only the Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, myself who led a delegation of interfaith Christian leaders with Reverend Wuye honoured the invitation. There was a heavy presence of Muslim leaders from African countries. 

While speaking on the topic "Non-Muslims Rights within Muslim Society" an African Scholar, Dr. Almukashifi Taha Al-kabbashi, Member of the Scholars’ Council of Sudan stated that Christians are "ahlul kitaab and not kafir" meaning "men of the book and not infidels". He analyzed the rights of Christians within an Islamic society which includes, the freedom to practice their religion. He stated further that "there is no compulsion in religion". To buttress this point he cited relevant provisions in the Holy Qua'ran and Hadith. "There is intermarriages between Muslims, ahlul kitaab and the Jews. You cannot attack them unless they aggressed you and seek to prevent you from practicing your religion", he submitted.

 Almukashifi lamented the degenerating social harmony in Nigeria especially the growing rift between Christians and Muslims. According to him, Islam means peace, but contemporary developments misconceived Islam as synonymous with violence based on negative trends associated with it. Islam abhorred violence and no true Muslim will embrace violence as crusade mechanism for Islam, he argued. He challenged Nigerian Muslims to emulate the peace tradition of Islam as reflected in the life of the Holy Prophet of God, Muhammad (pbuh). Who received a delegation of Christians in Medina and even allowed them to worship in his mosque. 

It was an interesting experience for me because I was also guilty of this stereotype that violence has some established traditions in Islamic history due to the way and manner some muslim clerics propagates Islam. The concept jihad has created serious misgivings between Nigerian Christians and Muslims because non Muslims perceived it as the killing of kafir (infidels) in prosecution of holy war. I had listened to some clerics making derogatory remarks about Christians in their sermons. It now baffles my imagination from where did such clerics derived their own revelations which contradicts the teachings of the Holy Prophet, Muhammad Ibn Abdullah (Pbuh). I believed fundamentally something is wrong with our religious practices whether as Muslims or Christians. 

While at the conference I received a text message purported to have originated from Christian Association of Nigeria. The tone of messages was asking Christians to stay away from the Conference because Muslims had  mobilized funds to be distributed to gullible Christians against the 2015 elections. Ironically, the conference was quite enriching so much that even those Christians who were planted in my delegation had to confessed. They appreciated my contributions in the Peace Conference and by virtue of it remained close to me till date.

 There is no doubt the solution to this moral decadence resides within the circumference of our socio-political traditions. Religious leaders are first degree culprits of the growing divide between both faiths. Instead of promoting peaceful co-existence they surrendered themselves as mere tools in the hands of corrupt leadership. As an enterprise employed for advancing material advantages, religion is central in manipulating the people along primordial sentiments to enhance their manipulation. Religious leaders cannot confront political  leaders with any question bordering on injustice or corruption rather they preferred night visits to country homes which are rewarded with pregnant envelopes containing dollars. As result most of their demons in worship place is determined by such ungodly hours visits. "He who plays the piper dictates the tune" according to African adage. 

Consequently, this compromise of obligations has resulted in contaminating the polity with  sentiments to the extent that non performance, impunity and corrupt practices are celebrated only if culprits belongs to any of the faiths. It's so bad that we have sacrificed credible leadership on the alter of cheap bigotry.

Our Muslim brothers must do much to rescue Islam from been hijack by criminal elements. Clerics with the penchant for referring to Christians as kafir (infidels) must refrain such provocative utterances capable of igniting passion. It is even un-Islamic to refer to ahlul kitaab as such. Also, Muslim leaders should explore interfaith dialogue to promote better understanding with Christians. The use of derogatory words on Christians has contributed in no small measure to escalates misgivings between them. 

The exploitation of extremism as vehicle for promotion of militant movements has no scriptural foundations. What has also fuel negative impressions amongst Christians is undignified silence displayed by some influential Muslim leaders to dis-associate Islam from activities of criminal groups taking cover under religion to prosecute what is purely political agenda.

  

All that is required of Muslim leadership is to disown criminality and extend olive Palm to their Christians counterparts for meaningful collaboration. Can we achieve any meaningful progress without peace? Experiences of other secular societies should be good guide for our search for peaceful co existence. Kenya and America provides good templates for comparative analysis. When these countries came under terrorist attacks both Christians and Muslims united against a common enemy. Indeed they succeeded, but in Nigeria, once there is an attack on the Church, Christians will misplace reprisals with more damage than the terrorist attacks, so also the same thing with Muslims. The shout of Allah akabar can send so many innocent souls to heaven or hell. Can we pretense to be serving God when we shed innocent blood? I think there is no justification for it.

The Christians need to shift grounds from antagonist reactions to more accommodating tendencies because the Holy Bible enjoys us to love our neighbours as we love ourselves. There is We no compromise about the teachings of Jesus Christ for any thing else. The Holy Bible says without love nobody can please God.  Imagine Our Lord Jesus stating how many times a Christian is entitled to forgive any person that offends him, seventy times seven in one single day yet Christians today disregard this for self seeking vengeance. There is no doubt that any body who wants to follow Christ must carry His cross which the Bible says is heavy. Obviously there is problem with our reactions to perceived persecutions which Jesus clearly defined as part of the price we must pay as His disciples, therefore what is happening is devine prophesy for those that believe. Therefore, we watch and pray because the times are challenging because many may fall off track of discipleship.

Gone are the days where followers should blindly swallow hook line and sinker such teachings without cross checking from Scriptures. Especially when globalization has placed information within easy reach. Both Christians and Muslims alike must purge themselves of intolerance and hatred which is deep rooted in our sub conscious minds. The public high ways have been converted into slaughter slaps where innocent citizens are profiled and killed based on religious differences. Once there is terrorist attack, then travelers must reconcile their faiths with their routes  other wise there is no guarantees of survival. In some areas ethnic and religious militias mount road blocks hunting for people of opposite faiths. Ethnic or religious considerations are used as parameters to determining victims.

 In 2001, I was faced with the same situation in Jos.  Even as a Christian, I was subjected to all forms of humiliation including compelling me to recite the "Apostle Creed" at gun point. Of course, such recitations are done usually under solemn atmosphere of worship and not a mob driven conditions. Ironically, I could not recite it correctly due to tension. However, by divine providence, the mob concluded that I was one of their own, I was released to proceed. We have lost so many lives under these circumstances, how long shall we continue like this?

We must be sincere to admit that both Christians and Muslims are guilty of these carnages in the name of religion. We have enjoyed peaceful co-existence before now therefore it is incredible for spiritual leadership to sacrifice peace for mundane considerations. Once we are able to conquer self greed, the battle line will be drawn for the corrupt political system which benefits greatly from crisis. Imagine resources meant for developments are been cornered in the name of security votes yet Nigerians were sleeping with eyes opened. Simply put it we created the atmosphere for bad leadership to exploit for personal advantages, therefore, why not stave them by leaving peacefully? May I conclude by asking that will God admit perpetrators of these atrocities into Paradise on the day of judgement? Lets accommodate one other for peace to reign, amen.

Solomon Dalung, LLB, BL, LLM 

Published in Leadership Newspapers Friday, October, 18th, 2013.

BRUTALITY AGAINST HUMANITY IN HUNGARY:

I watched with pains and tears running down my eyes on the international media unprecedented acts of brutality unleashed on helpless asylum seekers at the borders of Hungary. Majority of the victims are women and children who came under tear gas and water attack from Hungarian police and immigration officials. Consequently, the boarders were closed while these refugees are abandoned without any attention.

Ironically these people are only trying to pass to other hospitable countries in Europe for survival. Hungary is not their final destination but a transit route to safer haven. Sadly, they were not only denied access but exposed to has conditions by Hungarian immigration officials and police. One of the victims a small child was wounded on the head yet abandoned with the mother helplessly crying. This is quite inhuman.

In flow of asylum seekers from war ravage countries like Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan has dominated international politics in contemporary times. Thousands of people fled their homes for safely as war persist in their home countries. The pathetic journeys embarked upon including crossing the Mediterranean Sea on boats and canoes. Many families had lost their lives in the process. Some had even died as result of hunger and diseases associated with such adventures. Even after crossing the sea, women and children sometimes trekked over hundred of kilometers to connect the movements en route Europe. They spent many days sleeping in the open with little or no food to eat. Bathing is considered a rear privilege for many days, imagine a woman or a female child not taking bath for weeks, what a terrible calamity for humanity?

The origin of these is traceable to numerous conflicts affecting countries in the Middle East. These conflict indexes were artificially created by the so called world powers in brazen exhibition of might in disregard for the consequences. Democracy was package as global phenomenon to destabilized countries that were quite stable. Also, unreliable intelligence were fabricated, while the world was mislead to support war in Iraq which today produced a monster tormenting innocent citizens with a territorial control. The self instigated and externally sponsored Arab sprint which targeted powerful Arab leaders like Gadaffi, Mubarak, Assad etc converted stable nations into terrorists haven. If the essence was promotion of global peace, then it was misconceived since the end product today is calamity for humanity. There is none of the countries affected that is secure. Even in Egypt, few days ago, convoy innocent tourists were bombed in the desert by Egyptian forces claiming to be mistaken target. The issue here is  were the tourists illegal immigrants? As tourists with such a large convoy why were they not provided security in a country that is ravaged by insecurity? To me there is an investigable conspiracy that must be unravelled.

The conduct of Hungarian security at the borders is highly condemnable. It is grave violation of human rights under the Geneva Convention. As signatory to that treaty, Hungary is obligated to provide refugees or asylum seekers or facilitate their movements to safer zones of their choices. However, to attack children and women is to say the least callous which requires international concern. The Secretary General had condemned the act and I make bold to state that it is an embarrassment to humanity callously executed by overzealous Hungarian security officials. I call on the United Nations to sanction Hungary for grave human rights violations. Also, nations of the world should lean their voices in condemning this brutality against humanity. 

I am highly impressed by the show of hospitality to asylum seekers by Germany. My love for that country increased tremendously. In Germany, people spent all days and night waiting for the arrival of refugees. When they arrived they are welcome with joy and loud ovation, while many bring food and clothes to them. Germany is the first country in Europe to announced an asylum policy which may accommodate over eight hundred thousand people. It has been at the forefront of mobilizing European Union to adopt emigrant policy. I commend the hospitality of the great nation. It is unbelievable, that Muslim Arabs refugees were given red carpet reception by Germans, indeed, they have stolen my love and respect. May God bless this country for the great things done to humanity, amen.

I cannot forget easily the statement made by the Syrian President when the war started. He said there is nothing like Syrian Rebels but terrorists who are bent on plaguing the country into war. This was disregarded for regime change sponsored by powerful nations of the west. Currently, a monster known as ISIL has emerged unleashing havoc, killing, beheading, maiming innocent people in the name of jihad. All the logistic support were provided by America and Western Europe. Then they architects of these human atrocities had the moral ground to close their boarders against refugees or even attacked and block them from going into their countries? It is incredible. Those who created this monster for whatever reason must take full responsibility of accommodating refugees from the war turned zones. They are under obligation to provide safe havens for them.

As I write my heart is heavy with tears running down eyes about the plight of helpless refugees either on sea traveling or trekking long distances or sleeping outside with little or no food to eat. When I put myself in their shoes my predicaments worsen because humanity is again facing serious challenges. Join me in condemning the action of the Hungarian security forces.

Solomon Dalung, LLB, BL, LLM

BUHARI'S AGE IS AN ASSET NOT LIABILITY 

While addressing Nigerians in Johannesburg South Africa, President Muhammadu Buhari made a statement that has become subject of political controversies. The opposition party has returned to primordial trenches calling for the resignation of the President. Well, this is not strange of their conduct, if they can prophesied his death before elections then it means there is nothing they cannot do. It's unfortunate that instead of repositioning itself for constitutional role, the PDP is preoccupied with mudslinging.

There is no doubt that constructive opposition promotes credible leadership but certainly not vicious opposition with venom. In their zeal to muzzle the new administration into failure, the opposition manipulated divisions within the ranks of APC legislators by nominating and electing a Deputy in the Senate. It may look sagacious but I seek to differ. When the ACN opposition nominated Tambuwal it also supported a PDP Deputy but did not blackmailed the PDP with an opposition Deputy.  Why did they opted for a PDP Deputy in an APC majority Senate? To me it speak volumes of their desperado for confusion in-place of alternative ideas,

In any case, PDP capitalized on weak cohesion amongst the APC legislators propelled by self interest. Also, the the party leadership acted out of rule of politics because they should have contemplated this out come. It will be naive to speculate that they were taken by surprise. If they can plan strategies to defeat a sitting government so they lacked acceptable explanation for what happened except, maybe for  internal treachery. The marriage of convenience between strange bed fellows in the Senate is bound to collapse because it is foundation on personal considerations.

I agreed with Mr President that he is limited by age. Indeed this accounts for why looters are moving freely today. If not for maturity how could qualified prisoners be harassing the people with ill gotten wealth all over the place?

It took Mwanasa, the former President of Zambia less than a week to take his predecessor, Chuluba to jail for stealing over $30 million. Even mediation efforts of African leaders including former President Obasanjo was fertile. 

Actually the age factor limit explains Mr President current leadership disposition. Of course its contrary to when he would have been either 25 or 33years. Imagine the degree of tolerance exhibited during campaigns despite insults hauled on him and his family yet he uttered no reply. Instead Mr president concentrated on issues based politics. What could have been the magic, if not maturity in age?

I had course to take him up during campaigns when I sort to discover the secret of this exceptional tolerance but Mr President's reply was "are these the problem of Nigeria?  Look at insecurity, corruption, unemployment and the economy etc, don't mind them Chèvre Guvera". His calm disposition indeed left me with a great lesson. 

Who would have thought the President will work with the Service Chiefs beyond their last salute on the inaugural day. But maturity has atoned for everything including hiding his secondary school certificate to disqualify him from contesting election. Age is a golden attribute of leadership otherwise how can the former Director General of Department of State Security still be in office after making the service mad dog of President Jonathan and PDP.  

Therefore Iam not surprised if his critics are asking for his resignation because of age. I believed they are testing this patience brought about by age. How can people whose natural abode should have been detention camps be insulting the psychology of Nigerians with bunkum. Instead of criticism I think it should be applauded. 

I understood the President as lamenting the constraints age has brought to bear on issues which ordinary required some hard decisions. There are Nigerians that expect certain tough decisions from him while he is saying as a father I must be more rational in handling issues than before. This is the limitations age place on every mortal.

The best that happened to Nigeria is having President Muhammadu Buhari as leader at this matured age. The benefits are monumental because the Nation shall gain from it. However it should not be mistaken as weakness because all actions that deserves scrutiny by law shall definitely be made accountable. The only limitation of age here will be the due process and maturity but certainly not impunity for looters of national treasury. He might look slow but strategic so that unnecessary mistakes are avoided. One thing is certain age will not insulate criminality. 

I am in competent to discuss Mr President's health status but I can attest that the President displayed strength and physical capacity during the campaigns as we traversed the political landscape. In fact, he was stronger compared to younger people. So, his age, physical and mental capacity is beyond cheap political gimmick of the opposition. Though advance in age he is not comparable to the option PDP offered. 

We must realize that this new administration is not an extension of the PDP regime. It has to be foundation properly for take off which demands a lot of wisdom in decision making. To hit the ground, it requires sound administrative pillars to survive this antagonist environment of conception. It is better to be slow and strategic than fast with unsustainable results. Mr President, you are on course and may God continue to guide you.

Solomon Dalung, LLB, BL, LLM

THE COVENANT OF CHRISTIANS WITH PROPHET MUHAMMAD, pbuh

The relationship between Christians and Muslims in contemporary history especially Nigeria has been unwholesome. The prevalence of socio-religious and man made ethnic conflicts has re configured social harmony. The scaring situation deteriorates alarmingly so much that it's difficulty for the opposite faiths to co habituate together in most Northern States. There are separatist settlements spread all over most major Northern cities. In Kaduna Metropolis in Kaduna state, the Christians dominates Kaduna South while the Northern part is predominantly Muslims. While in Plateau State, Jos Metropolis has the same exclusive settlements with Christians in the Southern part while Muslims occupy the Northern part.

In some States where exclusive settlement pattern is not in practice there are designated areas where the predominant faith created for the other. Where Christians are majority Muslims live in Anguwan Hausawa, while in States where Muslims are majority, Christians live in designated places usually known as Anguwan Mission, Sabongari, Sabon Pegi etc. Even though this is a colonial relics, it has been exaggerated against national integration. Indeed, the spate of escalating insecurity has laid paid to this negative trends of distorting peaceful heritage. 

The role of political leadership in undermining social harmony looks like deliberate complicity. It is sad that in some instances where human carnage is unleashed, political leadership reneged its responsibilities of protecting lives and properties of citizens. Sometimes statements emanating from some leaders instigate passion there by escalating pogrom. Ironically, while soliciting for votes such politicians advocates justice and fairness. On election and assumption of offices they take oaths with either the Quran or Bible, but on the contrary they conduct public affairs on the basis of either religious or ethnic sentiments. Some public officials have been indicted for sponsoring crisis or insurgents, paradoxically, they marauded everywhere fortified by heavy security paid by the tax payers money. Most political office holders in crisis infected areas have been culpable of promoting religious bigotry and ethnic hatred even using public funds. They claimed to be advancing the cause of their faith yet these ungodly acts remains celebrated. The challenge ahead is has it been like this from the beginning? If not what happened ?

Muslims and Christians constitute over 70 percent of Nigeria. If they lived in peace and harmony there will be national stability. The best step to foster Muslim-Christian understanding in this country is to emphasize positive values that binds us together instead of mutual demonization.

In proposing a peace synergy I intend to remind both Muslims and Christians about a promise that Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) made to Christians. Muqterdar Khan, a renounce Islamic Scholar argued that:

"The knowledge of this promise can have enormous impact on Muslim conduct towards Christians. Muslims generally respect the precedent of their Prophet and try to practice it in their lives" 

In 628 AD, a delegation from St. Catherine’s Monastery located at the foot of Mount Sinai and is the world’s oldest monastery came to Prophet Muhammed and requested his protection. He responded by granting them a Charter of rights, reproduced below in its entirety. St. Catherine’s Monastery possess a huge collection of Christian manuscripts, second only to the Vatican, and is a world heritage site.  It also boasts the oldest collection of Christian icons. It is a treasure house of Christian history that has remained safe for 1,400 years under Muslim protection.

The Covenant to St. Catherine:

“This is a message from Muhammad ibn Abdullah, as a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, near and far, we are with them Verily I, the servants, the helpers, and my followers defend them, because Christians are my citizens; and by Allah! I hold out against anything that displeases them.

No compulsion is to be on them. Neither are their judges to be removed from their jobs nor their monks from their monasteries. No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to damage it, or to carry anything from it to the Muslims’ houses.
Should anyone take any of these, he would spoil God’s covenant and disobey His Prophet. Verily, they are my allies and have my secure charter against all that they hate.

No one is to force them to travel or to oblige them to fight. The Muslims are to fight for them. If a female Christian is married to a Muslim, it is not to take place without her approval. She is not to be prevented from visiting her church to pray. Their churches are to be respected. They are neither to be prevented from repairing them nor the sacredness of their covenants.
No one of the nation (Muslims) is to disobey the covenant till the Last Day (end of the world).”

The first and the last sentence of this Charter are critical. They make the promise eternal and universal. Muhammed asserts that Muslims are with Christians near and far, straight away rejecting any future attempts to limit the promise to St. Catherine alone. By ordering Muslims to obey it until the Day of Judgment the charter again undermines any future attempts to revoke the privileges. These rights are inalienable. Muhammed declared Christians, all of them, as his allies and he equated ill treatment of Christians with violating God’s covenant.

Remarkably the Charter imposes no conditions on Christians for enjoying its privileges. All that is required is that they are Christians. They are not required to alter their beliefs, they do not have to make any payments and they do not have any obligations. This is a Charter of rights without any duties!

This document is not modern human rights treaty, although it was written in 628 A.D. it has clear provisions which protects the right to property, freedom of religion, freedom of work, and security of the person.

Of most people may question and So what? The truth is those who seek to foster discord among Muslims and Christians focus on issues that divide and emphasize areas of conflict. But when resources such as Muhammad’s promise to Christians is invoked and highlighted it builds bridges. It inspires Muslims to rise above communal intolerance and engenders good will in Christians who might be nursing fear of Islam or Muslims.

There are unprecedented examples of religious tolerance and inclusiveness in  many Islamic sources which teaches positive values. To me the capacity to seek and do good is inherent in all of us. we  must subdue all tendencies inhibiting the good by defeating the evil. It is laudable we appreciate something positive and worthy in the values, cultures and histories of other peoples.

This covenant to which has eternal obligations in my opinion is observers more in breach. It's time we return to our roots and live like a people within common destiny.

Solomon Dalung, LLB, BL, LLM

California, USA