Boko Haram War: Is It Religion Or Education
Much has been said, heard and seen about Boko Haram sect operating in the North-East of Nigeria and causing panic in many areas of the country, giving it serious damages in the international communities.
What is left to be said is to call a spade by its real name, by giving the federal government kudos for efforts so far in ensuring security despite the challenges.
The Federal Government is trying in its efforts to bring to an end the menace of Boko Haram in the country but what mars such effort is the suspected potholes in the security agencies, where it becomes difficult to identify if any, those involve in sabotaging the efforts of the security operatives against the insurgence.
Another is the political motivation of the sect which seems uneasy for pilots of the political machinery of government to affect proper sanction against those involved.
Sometimes in this country, a former Head of State has said that heads will roll if he was not elected a president. Ever since, no action has been taken against such individual because democracy is enthroned and the driver of the current democratic dispensation, His Excellency, Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, GCFR has thought it wise to give everyone the opportunity to speak whatever could be said, an opportunity that has been abused.
However, Federal Government have not relented in fighting as it continuously restate its commitment to end activities of the sect in the country.
Before now, there have been statements, comments and fears that the Boko Haram sect was purely a religious war as only Christians are the target by the Moslems militant sect, but some argued and dismissed such with a wave of the hands.
It is placed on records that major festivals of the Christians were disrupted in Northern part of Nigeria, churches were bumbled, several souls were loss and properties wasted.
From the inception of the insurgency in Northern Nigeria, there have been no mosque burnt or bombed rather Christians keep losing their loved ones and properties.
Chibok community in Borno State is reportedly a Christian dominated area and the Boko Haram sect acknowledging that, swiftly move their operations to that area.
The over 200 abducted girls, if it is anything to go by are majorly Christians. Is this a religious war? And what is the Christian community saying?
Just last Sunday 29/06/14, about two churches were brought down by the sect, what has the Christian done. Are Nigerians no longer observing and respecting the provisions of the 1999 constitution which guarantees freedom of worship and association?
Earlier, Western education was said to be the reason for this heinous activities of the sect. but one would wonder how the former education minister Prof. Rukayatu rose to the academic rank of a Professor without any formal studies.
War against Western education could have been waged against the Northern Muslims who had earlier gone through the process if it is forbidden by the Islamic laws.
The many scholars in the Northern region were not affected by such laws, how come now that such laws is in full force. How come such laws were not in force when only the Northern Moslem were in control of governance than now that a southerner is incharge, something is wrong.
Obviously, there shouldn’t have been higher institutions in the Northern States if such was against the laws during the administration of the Northern Muslims. President Goodluck Jonathan is not the first Christian to govern Nigeria, yet there was destruction of churches and lives of Christians in the Northern part, just because he is from the south region.
Could it be contemplated that western education is not the problem of the Islamic sect rather region and tribe? Again, the Hausas once reported that under development in the Northern part was the cause for the sect. Issues Abattoir view it with serious discomfort and disagreement as all the resources taken from the Southern region were used in developing the North. This is true, because the quality of roads network in the North could not be found anywhere in the southern region.
But, if the sect have any proof of this, then, the likes of major General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida generally known as IBB, and General Sani Abacha of blessed memory should be blamed for such lost of opportunity rather than blaming it on the current administration led by a southerner.
It is also on record that IBB had ruled the country for 8years and if any good thing was lacking in the northern region, a southerner who had no opportunity to serve the country since creation should not be blamed for anything.
However, the southerner have every reason to demand for anything as their right from Nigeria as a country because it is the hen that lays the golden egg but without attention, not to mention proper attention.
While, the northern citizens should demand whatever they felt was lacking in their region form their leaders not only IBB, they should leave the Christians alone. Let not simplicity be taken for granted.
To the Christians, it is high time to rise up to the challenges of this religious war.
Let it be suggested that the Christians should drag the Muslims to the international court of justice of the Muslims could not call the sect to order.
In the militancy days in the Niger Delta region, the elders of the region quickly acknowledged those concerned and subsequently peace was restored. In like manner the Northern elders should take such responsibility and sue for peace, a better position than shying away from the needful.
This religious war, must stop now before it escalate into something undesirable, the unity of the country is vital and all must brave up to attaining it.
God bless Nigeria. ###
With James Mgboineme
Jamesprojectgodwin@yahoo.com.
