WITH the Christmas bomb blast at Madala near Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, among other religious riots, kidnapping, assassinations, one begins to wonder if Nigeria will remain one and safe. It is a truism to say that the incidence have raised fundamental issues on national security, governance, as well as Nigeria's corporate existence for both the big and small. In other words, the continuous killings of innocent citizens as well as setting buildings and other properties ablaze by a religious sect, Boko Haram, in the far North, has left many Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora including international observers in a stupor of surprise and pangs of anger and righteous indignation. Based on the sect's inimical activities, it had been shock, grief and lamentation.Based on the above, I think and believe there is the need for our security agencies to always take pre-emptive steps to prevent crises through bombings, riots, among others, by nipping them in the bud. The security agencies should intensify efforts to monitor effectively the plans for bombings, killings and maiming. It is appropriate to say categorically that such dastardly acts caused the Nigerian civil war that lasted for three years.As a result, Nigerians should always be religiously and jealously guided by the words of an elder statesman, octogenarian and first executive president of Nigeria, Alhaji Aliyu Shehu Shagari when he said and I quote 'This moment in our history demands of all of us the spirit of tolerance and cooperation, rather than retribution and intrigue. If we succeed in highlighting the things that unite rather than divide us, we will have succeeded in bequeathing a fitting legacy to the coming generation'.Most importantly, no meaningful development can take place in the country without sustained peace. As regards the various incidence in the country, especially that of the Christmas bomb blast at Madala, I am sure the current democratic structure will make a pronouncement on the dastardly acts, address the root causes to avoid future occurrence and bring the perpetrators to book. This is absolutely necessary because such acts must not be swept under the carpet. In this connection, the latest bomb blasts and other inimical acts across the country should be urgently addressed for a stitch in time saves nine.In addition, the Federal Government needs to investigate all the latest crises including that of the bomb blast at Madala, so as to make Nigeria safe and remain one. In the words of Desmond Mpilo Tutu 'Justice must be done to the poor and oppressed and if the present system does not serve the purpose, the public conscience must be roused to demand another'. To this end therefore, the government needs to investigate to know if there was crassa negligentia, that is gross negligence by any person no matter how highly or lowly placed in the society. This is because truth can be taunted but cannot be humiliated. It can be temporarily suspended but cannot be annihilated. It can be suspended to injustice but will surely emerge with a resounding victory. The ugly part of truth, for the unjust, is that it can rear its head when it is least expected. Like the chameleon, truth can move at a very slow speed but will surely get to its destination.Boko Haram, meaning 'Western education is sin/evil', preaches hatred for everything western, but its leaders indulge in western luxuries. The extensive nature of the sect's operations in some parts of the country, especially in the far North was flabbergasting and shocking. There is no need for us to be agents of darkness and destruction. To this end therefore, Nigerians should remain steadfast, focused on the part of truth, honour, fairness and justice, so that we can know the true sponsors of Boko Haram (enemies of western education). Like Pope Benedict XVI, while appealing for peace in a message to commemorate the 2007 World Peace Day (WPD) said 'Those with greater political, technical or economic power must not use that power to violate the rights of others who are less fortunate'. There is the need therefore, for the Boko Haram to declare publicly without hesitation what next for Nigeria.A wise man once said: 'There is no problem anywhere, and your problem is your ignorance'. Another wise man said 'What you call problem is no problem but a challenge'. The sect should see western education as a challenge, some of their brothers and sisters who scaled through western education are competing favourably at the federal public service including the armed forces under the guise of 'federal character principle', which the late General Murtala Ramat Mohammed, a one-time head of junta introduced and directed the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) to enshrine with immediate effect in the 1979 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, while addressing them on Monday, 20th October 1975 in Lagos. Whatever the case may be, members of the sect needs western education and counseling urgently, unless if they are not true and responsible Nigerians. The Boko Haram sect members should know that 'education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance' according to Will Durant (1825-1981).While Nigerians are sympathising with the families of all those who lost their lives, properties, and sense of security, Nigeria needs to be made safer for all, irrespective of tribe or religion. In this direction, the Federal Government should lead and show the way, purposefully and decisively, so that Nigeria will remain one, safe and not to be terrorised by any religious sect. Soeze sent this piece in via charlessoeze@yahoo.ca
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