MENACE OF BOKO HARAM: TOUCHING THE UNTOUCHABLES
By
Salim I. Hassan
(A graduate of BUK)
Education Department
Is beyond Suspense?
It is hard to believe. It is highly suspicious. I could not help myself to indubitably believe it. The 20th day of January, 2012 around 5pm has recalled me the bad memories at Damaturu where I have heard the first bomb blast in my real life. The series of well coordinated, and yet strategically planned attacks at various targets in Kano metropolis has left everyone with critical mind in a highly questionable situation. The incidence clearly indicates the high level of government recklessness on security issue. Nigeria! A failed state? A reckless government? Or unwise leaders? The way and manner the government is tackling this threat lead me to suspect its personal interest in it. Has the government been seriously enough in tackling the menace of Boko Haram? I always ask myself.
Ask Yourself
Why is the threat growing stronger; meanwhile the national security always degenerating to weaker and weaker state? Why are these people always successful in their intended attacks without receiving a firm response from the security side? Since when they declared war on the Nation no any of their planned attacks ever averted by our security agents, (blame the government and not the security agents). Do the government authorities want us to believe that the menace of Boko Haram militants is becoming immitigable? I must not appreciate the present security system of this country. Think of the number of our National security agents: does it reach the minimum standard? Think of the habit of our security agents: are they tackling the militants (especially during their terrorist attacks) with courage and in an all-out manner? Based on my experience at Damaturu (where I witnessed the latest Xmass days attacks) and that of recent time in Kano, I have realized that our security agents are reluctant and desperate to face the militants in a possible physical combat. At the times of the attacks the government forces are fully aware of the whereabouts and the standing position of one group of the militants or another; however they could not even dare to reach out to them. They are trying to the best of their capability, to avoid any circumstances that may lead them into face-to-face clash with the militants. Nevertheless, they have their valid and legitimate reason for displaying such a defensive habit which I am going to briefly explain before closing my piece.
The Truth Never want to be heard
We have been saying this and I will say it again. With the present line-up of our security system; with the present stance of the government authorities towards the already weak security of the nation; and with the present reluctant attitude of our security agents in facing the militants in the battlefield, the menace of Boko Haram can never be mitigated let alone be curbed out. The common belief that these people are invisible is no longer a reality today. In fact, they are even more visible at the times of any of their intended attack.
Bear this in Your Mind: Terrorism wherever it exists and whatever its ulterior motive is can continue to exist only if the authorities concerned have their personal interest in its perpetuation. And I think the same is true in Nigerian case.
Occupy Boko Haram: A Master Plan
Why is our security operatives are always reluctant whenever are faced with the militants? Why are they devoid of courage to face the militants in a possible physical combat? The following reasons will suffice them to justify their desperate attitude: they don’t have more sophisticated weapons; their welfare is not properly addressed; and more importantly, if they courageously come out and face the militants, and then were killed, the future of their bereaved family is not guaranteed by the government which is more than capable of doing so. These few reasons indeed suffice them to justify why they would not fight courageously against the militants. So, assuming all what I have pictured is true, what are the alternative measures to be taken and policies to be adopted?
If the government is willing to seriously contain and eradicate this far-reaching threat it must have a number of certain drastic measures to adopt. The government must beef up the national security system all-round; and this can be done in the following ways: 1) increasing the number of security agents – the incident in Kano metropolis shows that the concurrent multiple attacks are beyond the control of the security agents as they are too scarce; 2) provision of more sophisticated weapons and advanced tracking copters – practical experiences at many incidences led many people (even the laymen) to acknowledge the fact the guns held by the militants are a little bit better than those owned by the government forces. The tracking copters if are well provided, will be used in tracing and detecting the militants and their standing positions (permanent or temporary) as they come out for their terrorist operations; 3) Provision of welfare and incentives to the security operatives – this is very important in motivating them to work fearlessly and faithfully as materialism is influential in shaping the attitude of the people towards behaving in a required manner and direction; 4) Guaranteeing the future life of their family – This is the most effective measure to motivate and empower the security operatives towards tackling the militants with courage in any possible combat. The security agents should know the status of their welfare; and they want to know that the future life of their family is fully guaranteed by the government after loss of their lives. Presently, the Nigerian system does nothing in this respect. This is a reminder to the concerned authorities.
Finally, I maintain my view that bolstering up the overall National security system – providing more advanced sophisticated weapons, upgrading the welfare of the security operatives and guaranteeing the future life of their bereaved families – will contribute with the 99% of the solution to this prevailing menace of Boko Haram. I do believe that these militants can be dealt with better in the very moment they appear to carryout their planned attacks. And the security operatives can have the motive and courage of dealing with them firmly only if the aforementioned proposed measures and policies are implemented. This is how the government can re-invigorate the security operatives towards more commitment and seriousness. That is all and all!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
OUR DEAR PROPHET (PBUH), OUR DEAR ISLAM
OUR DEAR PROPHET (PBUH), OUR DEAR ISLAM
By
Salim Ishaq Hassan
Education Department
Level 400.
salimanology@yahoo.com
To investigate, to discover, compare and contrast, through fair and sincere means, with the aim of realizing the truth, one will instantly and inevitably come to realize, know and ensure the truth, prophethood, supremacy, superiority, dignity, honour and respect of the great Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the last of the prophets and the leader of all.
Indeed, he is an especial good man of piety, honour, patience, modesty, virtue and sound character. He is a man of unique manner and mannerism, always guided by the divine guidance. In fact, he is the only 100% man ever set foot on earth. In reality, he is the dearest servant of Allah, the most conscious in Allah and the most purely pious. The prophet philosopher who salvaged the world from the darkness of astray and ignorance to an ever-lasting light of guidance and knowledge, and put the world in the forthright position of civilization, growth, development and prosperity. All the so called modern man’s civilization and achievements were obtained from his very voice of reason and wisdom. Every human must obey him directly or otherwise and every creature is fully aware of his unique superiority and wonderful character. He is the loftiest man born to this world; likewise he shall be the loftiest in the hereafter.
A man with the above exceptional qualities/nature and extraordinary talent most not be overlooked, disdained, denied and or disobeyed. Yet he is the one brought with him, the true religion of Islam from his supreme lord – Allah the essence of existence and the lord of mankind. True religion is indeed, which signifies oneness of Allah and total submission to Him; a religion which signifies social justice, peace and integrity.
Islam is a name of religion means total submission to Allah, social peace and justice. And Muslim is the name given to the followers of Islam. Islam is a belief, a way of life and a complete institution of legislation and constitution. Tawheed, ritual worship, social justice trustworthiness, honesty, peaceful coexistence, unity, mutual respect and universal brotherhood are among the manifold of the teachings of Islam. There is hardly anywhere and every nook and cranny that Islam has not reached due to its divine mighty power and forceful acceleration. This is an apparent and conspicuous considerable miracle to the rejecters of Islam. Our Islam teaches us worship, tolerance, patience, helping the needy and general good behaviours. Moreover, the all teachings of Islam have heard from the blessed tongue of our great Prophet (PBUH). The best philosophy of life has been heard from His short, precise but enriched words. Share these few with me now in order to live in happiness and die in bliss.
A Bedouin came one day to the Prophet and said to him, “O, Messenger of God! I've come to ask you a few questions about the affairs of this life and the Hereafter.” The Prophet responded Ask what you wish. So the Bedouin starts asking while the Prophet is responding. Some of the questions and answers include (but not in order):
I'd like to be the most learned of men.
Fear God, and you will be the most learned of men.
I wish to be the richest man in the world.
Be contented, and you will be the richest man in the world.
I'd like to be the most just man.
Desire for others what you desire for yourself, and you will be the most just of men.
I want to be the best of men.
Do good to others and you will be the best of men.
I'd like to be the most just man.
Desire for others what you desire for yourself, and you will be the most just of men.
I'd like to complete my faith.
If you have good manners you will complete your faith.
I'd like to complete my faith.
If you have good manners you will complete your faith.
I'd like my sins to be very few.
If you seek the forgiveness of God as much as you can, your sins will be very few.
I'd like my prayers to be responded.
If you avoid forbidden actions your prayers will be responded.
What will save me from sins?
Tears, humility and illness.
What are the best deeds in the eyes of God?
Gentle manners, modesty and patience.
What are the worst evils in the eyes of God?
Hot temper and miserliness……………….
Imam El Mustaghfiri said: "I have never heard a tradition more comprehensive of the beauties of religion, and more beneficial than this hadith. It collects all the good things of Islam but not put to use." (The Hadith is related by Imam Ibn Hambal).
Oh Brother let us try, to the best of our capability, to put the above prophetic teachings in our practical life so that we may prosper in both this world and worldstop (hereafter).
THE PARADOX OF NIGERIAN DEVELOPMENT
THE PARADOX OF NIGERIAN DEVELOPMENT
By
Salim I. Hassan
Education Department
BUK.
salimanology@yahoo.com
The celebration of our 50th anniversary of independence is desperately acclaimed by few ‘irrationals’ but confidently being frowned at by many. In fact, I go for those who seriously and indubitably doubt the development of this country in the last 50yrs. It is not a matter of pessimism; it is the truth we proclaim. Nigeria did achieve nothing in actual sense of development. To account for dubious and paradoxical aspects of development to corroborate for the actual Nigerian development is to distort reality. Those who assume themselves as optimists they do so only because they believe in the paradox of Nigerian development. To state the truth of Nigerian underdevelopment is not a matter of being a pessimist; in fact, such a person is a kind of rational analyst. Natural and unplanned development is always imminent wherever, whenever, however and on whomever the settlers are, including the creatures in the ‘Animal Wild Society’.
But the kind of development we are referring to in here is development in its original sense, being it in politics, government, economy and education as well. If we are talking about development let no one talk of achievement. You can achieve but without making a development. But development is all-encompassing as it includes achievement in itself. Even the term ‘development’ can be unplanned (natural) or planned. Planned Development is what we are referring to in this context. I know the reason why I am making this unusual clarification. Some seem to disagree to the fact Nigeria does not develop throughout the last 50yrs. If you ask them why this argument they will just cite some mere achievements – some kinds of natural development – that are not worthier than the word ‘development’ itself. Rise in number of schools, colleges and universities, rise in number of school enrolment (at all levels) and perhaps a relatively increase in oil income are not the actual determinant factors of development; they are just mere unplanned aspect of development which is irrelevant to our ‘discourse of development’. These must come to be either consciously or otherwise in the course of time passage. We too, do believe that Nigeria (but only in this aspect of unplanned or natural development) had stepped forward some extra miles as compared to our development in the 1960s as the so-called optimists wanted us to believe. Nevertheless, this will not aid them to escape my blow. let me ask: am I right to say Nigeria did develop and achieve a lot in the last 50yrs because our population multiplied more than that of 1960s, peoples’ houses and residences increased to greater extent and the power hungers (political power aspirants) rose in constantly high rate? This is a parable of those who account for the increment in the number of schools and universities, and rise in number of school enrolment from 1960s to date as their sole evidence for the actual Nigerian development in the last 50yrs. if such people were right in their argument, so then I have all right to state as in the above question.
Those who argue for Nigerian development in the past 50yrs were able to account only for what we have referred to in here as ‘natural’ or unplanned development. In comparison with other co-partner independent countries (those attained independence concurrently with Nigeria) we achieved nothing to date in terms of actual development. Still I know some wishy-washy writers and political analysts will continue to retain their argument by creating more confusion and paradox in this discourse of Nigerian development. The standard average measure of whether a country developed or not is the moderate extent to which it competes with the development of modernity, at least when it is compared to its contemporary mate in the history of independent political establishment in terms of actual development there should be a slight disparity or almost similar degree of development. Other standard measures of assessing a nation’s development is by considering the current global standard of governance, education, economy and technology. There is no doubt that the true developed countries have attained the highest level in these areas. Therefore, for developing countries, in order to confirm whether they have developed, or are developing in their own level, they must attain the average level in the scale of standard measurement of development as specified above. It is true some are saying Nigeria has come a long way – a long way from where? Asked by Adamu Adamu in one of his column in which he described Nigeria in its face of development as being ‘practice makes imperfect. The underdevelopment of Nigeria throughout the past 50yrs and the long-lasting irrationality of its leaders as well, are self-evident, so much so that if you are going to explain it you may not know from where to start.
Let me now show you some powerful evidence for Nigerian failure of development in the last 50yrs. Now it is almost 11yrs of democracy in Nigeria but no one can prove a single aspect of development or even an improvement. All the identified problems affecting Nigeria among others, corruption, injustice, economic instability, educational downfall, problems of power and water supply and problems of health matters as well, none of them is resolved even partially per se. One may ask that is the governance/leadership in Nigeria a democracy or a tyranny? If it is democratic then democracy must have been bad; and if it is tyrannical then the deposal of military regime from leadership does not make sense. Perhaps our failed leaders will say 10yrs is not sufficient time to reconstruct and stabilize the National power supply. Ridiculous!
All acts of Nigerian leaders – the good, the bad, and the evil – are unquestionable and are beyond reproach. I will be brutally honest for pointing out these irrefutable facts, and my frankness may offend some people, but I feel it necessary to speak out the truth. This crisis in Nigeria demands only the whole truth. Nothing less than the whole truth can help us build a secured and prosperous future for our motherland Nigeria. Alas, it is time for introspection.
By
Salim I. Hassan
Education Department
BUK.
salimanology@yahoo.com
The celebration of our 50th anniversary of independence is desperately acclaimed by few ‘irrationals’ but confidently being frowned at by many. In fact, I go for those who seriously and indubitably doubt the development of this country in the last 50yrs. It is not a matter of pessimism; it is the truth we proclaim. Nigeria did achieve nothing in actual sense of development. To account for dubious and paradoxical aspects of development to corroborate for the actual Nigerian development is to distort reality. Those who assume themselves as optimists they do so only because they believe in the paradox of Nigerian development. To state the truth of Nigerian underdevelopment is not a matter of being a pessimist; in fact, such a person is a kind of rational analyst. Natural and unplanned development is always imminent wherever, whenever, however and on whomever the settlers are, including the creatures in the ‘Animal Wild Society’.
But the kind of development we are referring to in here is development in its original sense, being it in politics, government, economy and education as well. If we are talking about development let no one talk of achievement. You can achieve but without making a development. But development is all-encompassing as it includes achievement in itself. Even the term ‘development’ can be unplanned (natural) or planned. Planned Development is what we are referring to in this context. I know the reason why I am making this unusual clarification. Some seem to disagree to the fact Nigeria does not develop throughout the last 50yrs. If you ask them why this argument they will just cite some mere achievements – some kinds of natural development – that are not worthier than the word ‘development’ itself. Rise in number of schools, colleges and universities, rise in number of school enrolment (at all levels) and perhaps a relatively increase in oil income are not the actual determinant factors of development; they are just mere unplanned aspect of development which is irrelevant to our ‘discourse of development’. These must come to be either consciously or otherwise in the course of time passage. We too, do believe that Nigeria (but only in this aspect of unplanned or natural development) had stepped forward some extra miles as compared to our development in the 1960s as the so-called optimists wanted us to believe. Nevertheless, this will not aid them to escape my blow. let me ask: am I right to say Nigeria did develop and achieve a lot in the last 50yrs because our population multiplied more than that of 1960s, peoples’ houses and residences increased to greater extent and the power hungers (political power aspirants) rose in constantly high rate? This is a parable of those who account for the increment in the number of schools and universities, and rise in number of school enrolment from 1960s to date as their sole evidence for the actual Nigerian development in the last 50yrs. if such people were right in their argument, so then I have all right to state as in the above question.
Those who argue for Nigerian development in the past 50yrs were able to account only for what we have referred to in here as ‘natural’ or unplanned development. In comparison with other co-partner independent countries (those attained independence concurrently with Nigeria) we achieved nothing to date in terms of actual development. Still I know some wishy-washy writers and political analysts will continue to retain their argument by creating more confusion and paradox in this discourse of Nigerian development. The standard average measure of whether a country developed or not is the moderate extent to which it competes with the development of modernity, at least when it is compared to its contemporary mate in the history of independent political establishment in terms of actual development there should be a slight disparity or almost similar degree of development. Other standard measures of assessing a nation’s development is by considering the current global standard of governance, education, economy and technology. There is no doubt that the true developed countries have attained the highest level in these areas. Therefore, for developing countries, in order to confirm whether they have developed, or are developing in their own level, they must attain the average level in the scale of standard measurement of development as specified above. It is true some are saying Nigeria has come a long way – a long way from where? Asked by Adamu Adamu in one of his column in which he described Nigeria in its face of development as being ‘practice makes imperfect. The underdevelopment of Nigeria throughout the past 50yrs and the long-lasting irrationality of its leaders as well, are self-evident, so much so that if you are going to explain it you may not know from where to start.
Let me now show you some powerful evidence for Nigerian failure of development in the last 50yrs. Now it is almost 11yrs of democracy in Nigeria but no one can prove a single aspect of development or even an improvement. All the identified problems affecting Nigeria among others, corruption, injustice, economic instability, educational downfall, problems of power and water supply and problems of health matters as well, none of them is resolved even partially per se. One may ask that is the governance/leadership in Nigeria a democracy or a tyranny? If it is democratic then democracy must have been bad; and if it is tyrannical then the deposal of military regime from leadership does not make sense. Perhaps our failed leaders will say 10yrs is not sufficient time to reconstruct and stabilize the National power supply. Ridiculous!
All acts of Nigerian leaders – the good, the bad, and the evil – are unquestionable and are beyond reproach. I will be brutally honest for pointing out these irrefutable facts, and my frankness may offend some people, but I feel it necessary to speak out the truth. This crisis in Nigeria demands only the whole truth. Nothing less than the whole truth can help us build a secured and prosperous future for our motherland Nigeria. Alas, it is time for introspection.
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