GENERAL MUHAMMADU BUHARI: OUTSHINING MANDELA AND OTHER AFRICAN HEROES

GENERAL MUHAMMADU BUHARI (GMB): OUTSHINING MANDELA AND OTHER AFRICAN HEROES

Brooding over national and personal issues induced about two hours insomnia in me yesternight. The role of Nigerian media in misleading the gullible public carried greater part of my attention. I explored this phenomenon in relation to the way media has been working in giving one of our greatest national figures in GMB a sectional outlook. This concern took me into the adventurous appraisal of GMB's personality in the context of modern society of Nigeria and Africa. I was shocked to find that sometime this week, Ibrahim A. Waziri drew a conclusion similar to mine that none of Sardauna, Mandela and others measured up to GMB in national service.

TRIPLE WAR ANGLE

It was indeed consoling to find someone sharing a seemingly radical conclusion and making it public. This piece is considered necessary in that it will reinforce Waziri's view by presenting an alternative procedure for drawing the same conclusion. I approached this evaluative endeavour from the perspective of three wars that General Buhari fought which no African hero was privileged to fight and survive. This I consider as 'triple war angle' thus:

1. CIVIL WAR: GMB fought a real battle to keep Nigeria one. Even his adversaries among Nigerian Army Generals attest to Buhari's courage and valour in the war that nearly tore the populous African nation apart.

2. CORRUPTION WAR: Immediately after the Civil War, most Nigerian top military figures used their participation in the war as a license for looting the nation's resources and treasury. The wealth amassed by Danjuma, Obasanjo, Yaradua, Babangida, Abacha, Gusau and several others could hardly be explained within the boundaries of legitimate earning. GMB outstandingly survived that battle by emerging as a corruption free personality after serving as the Head of State, Military Governor, Petroleum Minister and Chairman of the rich PTF of Abacha days. I read an interview in which Buhari confirmed that the only corruption he would live to regret was reading Things Fall Apart that he borrowed (and returned) from the library of University of Nigeria Nsuka without the permission of nonexisting librarian during the civil war!

3. MEDIA WAR: This war is ongoing. Ever since General Buhari decided to participate in politics and save Nigeria from the onslaught of its thieving politicians, he has been the subject of negative media campaign of the dreaded Lago-Ibadan axis of the press. They falsely attribute divisive tendencies to this outstanding General in order to appease their paymasters and continue to deceive average Nigerians. If divisive tendencies did not manifest in Buhari during his crucial and sensitive services earlier mentioned, it will be a lot ridiculous to imagine that it would happen at the stable post - sixty phase of his life. The performance of Buhari in the 2003, 2007 and 2011 election is indeed a good indication that he is surviving the evil media war that sent many good people and policies to their graves prematurely. I strongly feel, he will in one way or the other hamonise this victory in the 2015 election.

FACTORISATION

I loaded many African personalities (Azikiwe, Sardauna, Awolowo, Mandela, Nkuruma...) as variables in my triple war equation but only GMB remains in the bracket. Most of our first generation African heroes did not fight real wars while the later ones faltered in the battle field of corruption. The few that have been enduring (General Gowon for example) could not take the risk of politicking and bearing the corollaries of blackmail of the Mbate Press.

Thumb up to the People's General. A tree that makes a forest; a single person that makes a crowd and a politician that makes a party.

WHAT ELSE WOULD DELETE THE TITLE OF 'FIERY' FROM SHEIKH ZAKZAKY?

Friday, 25th July, 2014 will remain critical in the history of official violence in Nigeria for it is the day in which members of the Nigerian armed forces assassinated three children of the same father and mother. To the best of my knowledge, no Nigerian family was ever subjected to a trauma like that of Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky whose three children, Mahmud, Ahmad and Hamid, were murdered in the incident. Mahmud was shot alongside several other followers of the cleric in the sporadic shootouts of the ambushing military to Qudus demonstration in solidarity with Palestinians that the group was known to be holding peacefully for 32 years. Ahmad was arrested by the same forces but was shot dead at the point of taking him into the military vehicle. Hamid was callously stabbed to death at the same point for questioning the shooting of his brother. The fourth of the murdered siblings, Ali, escaped with fractures caused by the military after witnessing the beastly violence on his brothers!

UNEXPECTED REACTION

Those of us who knew the Sheikh through the media and street tips felt that with the Zaria manslaughter on that fateful Friday, a hornets nest deadlier than Boko Haram has been steered. Our worst fears have been, if a similar injustice in 2009 to the so - called Boko Haram could take us into the mess we all are today in spite of the low level of membership, then what more of a more heinous violence to an obviously more spread group that the cleric leads. Could this be the beginning of the North Western Nigeria facing a crisis similar to that of the North East that was triggered by violence on Malam Muhammad Yusuf and his followers? 

This fear was quickly allayed by the calm and mild reaction of the Sheikh whom after narrating the event called for calm and restraints among his members. In fact, stories were told that he directed his followers to release some of the military men they arrested during the incidence.

ZAKZAKY: 'FIERY' STILL IN THE JUDGMENT OF NIGERIAN MEDIA

Notwithstanding this rare sense of maturity, Sheikh Zakzaky still retains the title of 'FIERY PREACHER' among several Nigerian media in their narratives on the event. The following is a list of five Nigerian media online that retain the phrase 'fiery preacher' for the cleric in their respective reports:

sunnewsonline.net

premiumtimeng.com

nigeriaheadlines.com

naijalately.com

nigeriatell.com

The natural question from the above: is what is 'fiery'. My AED electronic dictionary defines it as "characterised by intense emotion" or "like or suggestive of fire" while the Encarta dictionary defines the same word as "glowing hot", "showing intense emotion" among other related meanings. Similarly, Encarta Thesaurus listed the following ten words as synonyms to 'fiery': burning, scorching, blazing, flaming, hot, baking, heated, angry,turbulent and furious.

The next natural question to ask is how fair are these media in projecting the identity and personality of the Sheikh vis-a-vis his action in the moment of serious personal grief? This question is best left to the reader to answer and equally be guided on how to read and how not to read an average Nigerian newspaper or any newspaper in the world. 

ANOTHER UNEXPECTED REACTION: THE EMERGENCE OF A GUIDED PUBLIC

Given the animosities existing between sects and religious groups in Nigeria, one expects either illogical condemnation to the Sheikh and his followers in this moment of grief or at best the usual conspiracy of silence. Contrary to that, serious condemnations came from sister groups and individuals. Remarkable among those condemnations were those of the Jama'atu Izalatul Bid'a Waiqamatussunnah (JIBWIS) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). The civil right organisation led by Comrade Shehu Sani must be mentioned in this regard so also many individuals especially from the opposition who expressed covert and overt sympathy and condemnations.

This public response calmed my nerves a bit and stripped me off the confusion I find myself when something wrong is happening and everyone seems not to notice or care. In such a situation, I always remember Prophet Lot (A.S) who, disappointed with how his people generally condoned homosexuality and armed robbery, asked in lamentation "isn't there a guided person (to understand that these are evil acts)?". Of course, more decisive response is expected from constitutionally empowered bodies like our national assemblies so we can live with a reasonable confidence that justice would be appropriately dispensed on this matter and that the wrath of God that falls on societies that defy and deny justice would be deferred against ours.

My sincere sympathy to the Sheikh and the families of other 31 thereabout Nigerians on the injustice of their nation's armed personnel against them. We know they are not acting with Nigeria and its people in mind for Sambisa forest East of the country is still daring with hundreds of our girls in captivity. I believe, the Zionist interest which is at the helm of our security affairs in Nigeria today has to be naturally against the Sheikh whom for three decades has been leading an annual peaceful procession of tens of thousand followers against their injustice to Palestinians. As Zionism has an insatiable culture of violence, we call on all those that matter in Nigerian polity to decisively intervene and end this evil presence in our nation before they create a mayhem that no one can contain. "The owner of a room knows where it leaks best", says the Hausa man. As Nigerians, we know better how to solve our security and related problems than any evil alien costly hand pretending to help us.

RESTORATION OF UDUS BRIDGE: THE ROLE OF ASUU-UDUS

One thing that makes the university working atmosphere enjoyable to me is ASUU because of its stand on the principle of freedom, fairness and social responsibility. Prior to joining the Union and the special privilege of serving as a Secretary to one of its highly vibrant branches (UDUS Branch), I had given up hope for true nationalism among any group of Nigerians. ASUU succeeded in changing this trend of thought in me in many ways than one. Two weeks since the restoration of UDUS bridge today and the attendant relief the development brought to staff and students, I remember with joy the many roles of my Union in this achievement. The text of a special press conference that ASUU-UDUS Branch conducted on the bridge and related matters is one of such roles and is presented below for the records:

BEING TEXT OF A PRESS CONFERENCE ORGANIZED BY ACADEMIC STAFF UNION OF UNIVERSITIES, USMANU DANFODIYO UNIVERSITY, SOKOTO, BRANCH ON THURSDAY, 7TH OCTOBER, 2010 AT CONGREGATION HALL, CITY CAMPUS AT 10: 00AM

Gentlemen of the press,

As you are aware, flood disaster affected Sokoto and other neighbouring States in the second week of September, 2010.  Communities and institutions were ravaged by the incident. Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, was one of the affected institutions, where the roads linking the University with the metropolis were washed away on the 9th of September, 2010. The situation led to the indefinite closure of the University.

As a union, we observe with interest, the efforts made by the stakeholders as a response to the situation of our University in general and its students in particular. The speeches made by dignitaries, both Federal and State, raised a lot of the Union’s hope on the plight of our students whose academic activities have been disrupted by the disaster.  

In specific terms, the disaster has resulted in the suspension of the University academic calendar.  The situation, we believe, has serious impact on the educational development of our students. Similarly, our colleagues residing at the Permanent Site are up to this day living as refugees in their own country. This has truncated research activities in the institution. We also recognize the state of displacement caused to the neighbouring communities by the flood.

We note, almost one month since the incident, the University has remained closed. This we believe is not in the best interest of our students, their parents and the nation in general. It is also an indicator of the obvious neglect to education by Government which has been the position of our Union over the years. Being responsible parents, we feel that the current state of affairs should not be allowed to continue. 

The Union therefore calls on Government to expedite action to ensure immediate resumption of academic activities in the University. We also wish to remind Government on the pledges made and the need to back its words with action, as there should be responsibility in governance.  

Thank you.

God bless Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, 

God bless Academic Staff Union of Universities, and 

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Dr. L. Abubakar                                                        Mikailu Ibrahim

Branch Chairperson                                                 Branch Secretary

NYAKO'S IMPEACHMENT FROM THE RECORDS OF OLD NEWSPAPERS

There is no doubt that the impeachment of Governor Nyako last week by the Adamawa State Assembly will remain a great landmark in the democratic evolution of Nigeria. This is for the simple reason that it was an event like no other since the return of the country to civilian rule for a decade and half now. 

Going through the records of my old newspapers,  I discovered that the wave that wrecked NYAKO'S ship did not start a month ago nor even a year or two back. Exactly six years ago, a serious impeachment process was mounted against Nyako by the  same Assembly. It was so serious that the WEEKLY TRUST NEWSPAPER OF 28 JUNE 2008 made a COVER STORY from the event. The cover was very rich with a background to the saga, interviews, news items....In fact, if one does not look at the date of the six year old newspaper, he would miss it for an edition of June this year when the real impeachment process was at its peak.

HISTORY AND POLITICAL SAGACITY

History is indeed an indisputable political asset. Yet, Nigerian politicians rarely take that into cognisance. Nay, the entire Nigerian society seems to treat history with such undeserving disdain. This conclusion I began making when I realised in my GST class of the Faculty of Arts,  Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, that ONLY ONE STUDENT was admitted to study History through Direct Entry in the 2013/2014 session! With this trend, one wonders where the future generation of politicians would source their advisers which I believe historians make best.

In the case of Nyako, it was not so long a history like that of Mansa Kanka Mousa, Maidunama or Shaka Zulu to limit ourselves within the African continent. He and his cabinet seem to forget an event that happened six years back or failed to give it the right reaction. One expects a common place political arithmetics of CRUSHING YOUR ENEMY TOTALLY proposed by Robert Greene to be the watchword of Nyako and his cabinet after withering the first storm of impeachment attempt. Law 15 of Green's "The 48 Laws of Power" reads: 

"All great leaders since Moses have known that a feared enemy must be crushed completely.  (Sometimes they have learned this the hard way). If one ember is left alight, no matter how dimly it smolders,  a fire will eventually break out. More is lost through stopping halfway than through total annihilation: The enemy will recover, and will seek revenge. Crush him not only in body but in spirit"

DUTY OF CARE

I do not believe in many laws and explanations of Greene. Reading Greene without alternative power related philosophy and a strong comprehension ability could be a lot dangerous. The former would enable one neutralise arguments that may produce a beastly and callous leader while the latter would empower one to handle contradictions characteristic of which are in the law quoted here and Law 2 that suggests LEARNING TO USE ENEMIES. 

SHARING THE MULTIPLE BLESSINGS OF THE SEASON WITH THE DEPARTED SOULS OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS

From the last Ramadan to this, death has scaled down my list of uncles and older cousins that deserve one material gesture or the other in a season like this by SEVEN. The departure, though painful, was not strikingly shocking as all of them lived beyond 60 in a country which life expectancy is at the abysmal 48.6 years. May their soul rest in perfect peace.

SANI ALHAJI GANDI

The person in blue in the picture attached to this post is Malam Sani Alhaji Gandi. The photo was snapped exactly 10 years now in 2004 during a sent forth to Aliyu Umar and other colleagues who left the services of Attahiru Bafarawa Institute for Qur'an and General Studies,  Sokoto (Now, Sultan Muhammad Maccido Institute). Malam Sani was the Secretary to our Academic Staff Association at the Institute while Sani Suleman (in cap and kaftan) was the Chairman; Aliyu Umar (in white shirt) was the Treasurer and I (capless with kaftan) was the Vice Chairman. Mal. Sani as we generally call him was not as lucky in terms of longevity as my relations referred to above having parted in his early forties in the last week of May, 2014.

This unquestionably gentle fellow left Lagos for Sokoto to join other family members in grief for the loss of his uncle when he was shot by local armed robbers around Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State. Rushing him to hospital made little or no difference as, typical of Nigerian doctors and hospitals, he couldn't get any significant attention from the General Hospital he was first admitted. Referral to a military hospital in Kaduna given his status as an army officer was no use as he bled too much to survive.

My philosophy about longevity after observing the trend of death for not less than twenty five years now is that blameless people like Mal. Sani hardly live that long just as extraordinarily wicked people also rarely last. It is those in the middle position, a category that many of us fall, that live to the normal age of 60 and 70. Yes, the instance of people with special social mission to fulfil is sometimes exceptional. They are normally spared to deliver the promise vested in their life. An ancient Arab poetess, Khansa'u, partly shares this view in her eulogy saying "my problem with death is that it takes away the best people and live us with the ordinary". Mal. Sani was indeed beyond the ordinary. 

I remember Mal. Sani for staying with him for more than ten years without witnessing him quarrelling with anybody. Even the corrective cane that we all held as teachers to scare stubborn students Malam never held as he knew how to talk to such children as if they were adult while we watch with surprise. He would not be forgotten for the beautiful songs learnt from him while singing them with our pupils. Mal. Sani was adorable for his exceptionally balanced command of English and Arabic Languages; thanks to attending my alma matter (College of Arts and Arabic Studies now Sheikh Abubakar Gummi Memorial College) in its days of glory. I cherish him for successfully uniting the two separate mosques in our quarters to become one. These and more made Mal. Sani so dear to us that his was the 'story' death to me for the year.

One interesting thing about death is that it is a destination that others arrived early only to wait for those of us delaying. I stand on the dual blessings of Ramadan and Jumu'at to seek Allah's mercy on the soul of our parents, grand parents, great grand parents, relations, children, teachers, friends. On the same footing I pray for those of us living to have a spiritually fulfilled end. 

Peace and blessings of Allah be upon the Noble Prophet (SAW), his progeny, companions and those who follow his right teaching till the day of judgment.

NYSC PLEDGE

Youths obey the Clarion call

Let us lift our nation high

Under the sun or in the rain

With dedication and selfessness

Nigeria is ours; Nigeria we serve.

Members, take the great salute

Put the Nation first in all

With service and humility

NYSC for the noble Youths

Make Nigeria a great nation.

Far and near we come to serve

And to build our fatherland

With oneness and loyalty

NYSC for unity

Hail Nigeria our great nation.

NYAKO'S IMPEACHMENT : THE END OF BEGINNING...

The significance of what happened in Adamawa State where Gov. Murtala Nyako was impeached by the state assembly could best be seen in the context of being the first of its kind15 years after the return of democracy in Nigeria. Given the power that the almighty governors wield in their respective states, one would, prior to the event at hand, take the possibility of impeaching any governor as a mere fantasy. Whether rightly or wrongly, at least Adamawa State Assembly demonstrated that the principle of separation of power could be made to work when  the need arises. The end of the beginning of one of our democratic impossibilities has therefore arrived.

POLITICAL UNDERTONES AND UPRIGHTNESS
Many blame the Adamawa State Assembly for executing the FG's script without looking the other side and blame Nyako for his administrative loose ends. It is instructive to note that the culture of impunity has made the Nigeria's executives especially the governors to be the most lawless elements in the country. For instance, most, if not all, governors rarely have any respect for budgets. They spend public funds with beastly caprices on things that mostly yield personal benefits to them and their cronies. For this, it is very common to hear a governor say "my money" when talking about the state treasury. In fact, there hardly exist any governor in Nigeria without a glaring impeachable offence.

MY MIND

Ask about my state of mind on what happened to Nyako; I am at best INDIFFERENT based on my philosophy of not sympathising with a cat when chased by a dog for it does same to the mouse.

Ask about the implication of this event to Nigeria's democracy; I am HAPPY for it is bound to checkmate the arrogance, illegality and misgovernance of 36 BORNS OF WOMAN that turned into SUPERMEN simply because we have given them our mandate or they had it stolen.

"This is not the end, it is not even the beginning of an end, but it is the end of beginning". An Arab proverb says, " A wiseman learns from the ordeal of others".