Opinion

Taming The Boko Haram Threat

Published

14 years ago

February 19, 2012

Indeed, many states in Northern Nigeria, especially Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, and to some extent, Niger, Kano, Adamawa and Kaduna states, recently turned axis of terror. The Boko Haram sect – haters of western education and civilisation have unleashed untold hardship and wanton destruction of lives and properties on innocent Nigerians, and there seems to be no end in sight.

With the indiscriminate spate of bombings in these states, including the Police Force Headquarters and United Nations House in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, which claimed many lives and properties, leaves much to be desired. The Christmas Day bombing in Madalla, Niger State and the recent Kano killing spree really show that terrorism has truly arrived on the shores of Nigeria.

Before now, such incidents used to be heard of in other countries, especially in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and one hardly believed it will occur in this country. But surprisingly, our country is now facing the stark reality of insecurity and lawlessness, and severe threat to lives and properties.

Interestingly, the Boko Haram sect claims that western education and civilisation are a taboo, but uses vehicles to convey their weapons of mass destruction, even though these are creations and inventions of modernity. Also, the very bombs themselves were invented by those who obtained western education and are ultimately driven by the call of civilisation.

Even the mobile phones which the Boko Haram group uses to plan their sinister attacks and or operations, and communicate with their gang members, were made possible by western education. The group has not bombed or attacked any educational institution or government establishment since their clandestine activities began. They have rather targeted government officials, security operatives, and persons they suspect to be against their political, social and or economic interests. What an irony?

Perhaps, the Boko Haram sect seems to have entrenched a wave of terrorism never before witnessed since independence into the nation’s body polity. The ‘maitasine’ disturbances that shook the very foundations of the country in the 1980s have been surpassed by this bunch of renegades. It has, indeed, taken an international dimension because the group has incorporated suicide bombing into its operation, and it is glaring that some of them are trained in foreign countries such as Somalia, Libya, Sudan, among others. Even the recent discovery that a Somali citizen was among the gang that bombed the Police Force Headquarters makes the matter more worrisome.

What is more? The brand of Islamic fundamentalism and extremism exhibited and perpetrated by these hoodlums and misguided elements is aimed at nothing but to impose their will and wrong interpretation of the Holy Koran or Hadith on other innocent Nigerians. Although these holy books encourage peaceful co-existence and good neighbourliness, these bandits have interpreted the intents and purposes of these books upside down. And they need to be re-orientated and re-educated on the teachings of the holy books, especially at this time of the Ramadan.

It is imperative to draw the attention of these disgruntled elements to the following facts. First is that they should allow people live peacefully irrespective of their religious beliefs, opinions, backgrounds or affiliations because the Constitution of the country has guaranteed that. Besides, these are fundamental and basic human rights already enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations in 1948, which of course, Nigeria is a signatory to. Even the domesticated African Charter of the same declaration compels Nigeria and Nigerians to observe all the rights contained therein. And it should be clear to the Boko Haram group that all these provisions hold that people are free to hold opinions of their choice, free to associate with whoever they choose, free to live and work anywhere they choose, and free to worship whatever they believe in.

It is therefore inconceivable, anti-people and wrong doctrine for the Boko Haram members to think that their phoney reasoning has any good intentions for Nigerians. They should know that electricity, motor cars, motorcycles, aeroplanes, mobile phones, medicines, including the guns and ammunition they have used to cause mayhem are inventions of western education and civilisation. If they believe that western education and civilisation are a taboo, then they should abstain from using these products of modern civilisation. They should rather resort to deploying primitive forms of warfare in their effort to be heard, and let us see whether they would be heard at all.

Incidentally, these criminals have attacked fellow Muslims, constituted authorities, and security operatives whose responsibility it is to protect lives and property of law-abiding Nigerians. For instance, the recent attacks on the police, customs as well as prisons service and other paramilitary agencies are evidence that the Boko Haram sect has misplaced priorities. In fact, they appear to be a group set out to destabilise the nation and cause anarchy and lawlessness in the land. For this reason, they should not be taken lightly or treated with levity.

For me, the joint military task force set up by the Federal Government to quell the situation is appropriate and should be supported by all well-meaning Nigerians to succeed. The onus now lies on the security apparatus to take absolute control of the situation in order to secure lives and property as well as to guarantee free movement and safety of all Nigerians irrespective of tribe, religion or ethnicity. This, they should do to enable people to carry out their lawful and legitimate duties and businesses freely without fear or molestation.

Already, many people, especially citizens from other parts of the country have vacated many parts of the most affected states in the North, especially Borno by this unwanted catastrophe in the name of Boko Haram. The consequence of this situation is better imagined than felt. In fact, it is clear that the toll on the revenue of the state has been monumental, as social, economic and political activities have been stalled. Some residents, companies have relocated. Even planned investments have been diverted to other more peaceful states. And who is the loser? The state!

In order to correct this anomaly and return the state to the league of progressive states in Nigeria, the Federal Government and relevant agencies should take more stringent and pragmatic measures in arresting the insecurity and lawlessness occasioned by activities of these hoodlums. Steps to mitigate this Boko Haram challenge must entail identifying their grievances and the root cause of the angst. This is with a view to countering the spread of their phoney and false teachings and doctrine. There needs to be mass education and enlightenment of the people about the dangers and disadvantages of this group of misguided elements.

In fact, the Federal Government committee set up to negotiate the way forward as a result of this Boko Haram menace should focus on areas where they can achieve social and economic integration of all strata of the society in the North East, and not Borno alone. The committee must identify the root causes of this present threat, the group’s sources of weapons, sponsors, and their motives, and make bold and decisive recommendations to government.

I also think it is time for the people to expose those responsible for this orgy of destruction and deaths as they are human beings who live among us in both urban and rural communities and city neighbourhoods. The sack of the former inspector-general of police, Hafiz Ringim, and his replacement with Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, I expect should bring sanity to the fight against Boko Haram. In addition to this bold step, the re-arrest of the notorious escapee Madalla Christmas Day blast mastermind, Kabiru Sokoto is a very big boost to the war against this extremist group. And I think the battle is half won, particularly if the government takes seriously the confessions of Kabiru Sokoto, and acts fast on it.

This is why I appeal that peace loving Nigerians should be alert and vigilant at all times, and report any suspicious gathering or activity to security agents.

Security, indeed, is everybody’s business. Therefore, law enforcement agencies need to redouble their efforts in investigation, detection and combating this challenge, as Nigerians are ready to support and cooperate with them to ride this nation of criminals anywhere they may be hiding. Nigerians expect the riddle and nightmare wrought by the Boko Haram crusade addressed frontally, once and for all.

Ayooso, a public affairs analyst, resides in Port Harcourt.

Samson Ayooso

Opinion

Beyond the Adichie Tragedy

Published

1 day ago

March 16, 2026

The Tide

Quote:: “Justice must never depend on fame, wealth, or connections. The child of a roadside trader deserves the same standard of care as the child of a globally celebrated writer. When accountability works only for the prominent, public trust in institutions quietly erodes.”

Public reaction to the suspension of doctors by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) following the death of the son of celebrated Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie reveals something deeper than outrage over a single tragedy. Across social media and public commentary, a recurring sentiment stands out: many Nigerians believe justice was served only because of the prominence of the family involved. Comments such as “The doctors were punished because Chimamanda is well known,” or “If it was a poor man’s child, the case would have been swept under the carpet,” capture a troubling lack of faith in the system.

Whether these perceptions are always accurate is not the most important issue. What should concern the nation is that so many citizens instinctively believe that justice in Nigeria often depends on status, wealth, or influence.The tragedy that befell the Adichie family is heartbreaking. No parent should have to bury a child, particularly under circumstances that raise questions about professional responsibility. But beyond the grief lies a larger national concern: medical negligence in Nigeria is far more widespread than the few cases that attract public attention. Across the country, families quietly lose loved ones in hospitals and clinics under troubling circumstances. Patients are sometimes misdiagnosed. Emergency cases may be delayed. Surgical procedures may be mishandled, while basic standards of care can be compromised due to negligence, poor supervision, or systemic pressure on medical staff.

In many situations, grieving families simply accept their loss and move on, believing there is little they can do. The result is what can only be described as a silent epidemic of unreported medical negligence.In more developed healthcare systems, such incidents rarely go unexamined. Independent regulatory bodies investigate complaints, enforce professional standards, and sanction erring practitioners. In the United Kingdom, for instance, the Care Quality Commission inspects hospitals, clinics, and care providers to ensure strict compliance with safety and quality standards.Nigeria does have oversight institutions, notably the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria. However, enforcement often appears inconsistent, and many cases of negligence never reach the stage where regulators can intervene. Sometimes victims are unaware of the complaint process. In other cases, fear, cost, or bureaucracy discourage families from seeking justice.

While government institutions must improve their oversight mechanisms, citizens must also confront a difficult truth: Nigerians often fail to pursue their rights when they are violated. Too frequently, when injustice occurs, people retreat into resignation. Instead of filing complaints or seeking legal remedies, many respond with the familiar phrase: “God will judge them.” Faith is important, but it should not replace civic responsibility. A society that leaves accountability solely to divine intervention risks allowing negligence and impunity to flourish. Some commentators have suggested that the Adichie family likely pursued the matter relentlessly through petitions and formal complaints before authorities acted. If that is the case, it demonstrates a path other citizens can follow. When malpractice occurs, persistence in seeking justice can make institutions respond.

If more families reported cases of medical negligence to the appropriate authorities, regulatory bodies would have stronger grounds to investigate. Public pressure would also push healthcare institutions to improve their standards. Negligence, as defined by Nigeria’s Supreme Court in Odinaka v. Moghalu, refers to the failure to do what a reasonable and prudent person would have done under similar circumstances. Within medical ethics, physicians are expected to provide competent care with compassion and respect for human dignity. These principles form the foundation of the duty of care that patients rely upon. Citizens must therefore be able to recognise signs of negligence and take appropriate steps to seek redress. Patients and families should learn to document incidents, keep medical records, ask questions about treatment decisions, and report suspicious circumstances surrounding medical care.

Where necessary, formal complaints should be lodged with regulatory authorities or pursued through the courts. Civil society organisations, advocacy groups, and the media also play a crucial role. By exposing cases of negligence and demanding accountability, they help ensure such incidents do not disappear into silence. A healthcare system shielded from scrutiny cannot improve. Nevertheless, responsibility cannot rest solely on citizens. Government must take decisive steps to strengthen healthcare regulation and reduce medical negligence. Hospitals and clinics—both public and private—should undergo regular inspections to ensure compliance with professional standards, safety protocols, and ethical guidelines. Persistent violations must attract meaningful sanctions. Legal practitioner and Senior Advocate of Nigeria Olisa Agbakoba has suggested the creation of an independent health regulatory authority and the restoration of Chief Medical Officers at federal and state levels.

In the past, these officials, alongside health inspectors, helped enforce professional standards and ensured accountability within healthcare facilities. Government must also invest more seriously in the training and continuous education of healthcare professionals. Medicine is an evolving field, and practitioners must constantly update their knowledge and skills. Mandatory professional development programmes, stricter licensing renewal requirements, and improved mentorship systems could help reduce errors arising from outdated practices or inadequate training. At the same time, systemic challenges within the healthcare system cannot be ignored. Many Nigerian doctors and nurses work under extremely difficult conditions—overcrowded hospitals, outdated equipment, staff shortages, and overwhelming patient loads. Such pressures increase the risk of mistakes and professional burnout.

Improving healthcare infrastructure, funding, and staffing is therefore not merely an administrative matter; it is a fundamental requirement for patients’ safety. Equally important is transparency when allegations of negligence arise. Investigations must be timely, credible, and accessible. Families deserve to know what happened to their loved ones and whether professional standards were breached. Regulatory bodies must ensure that findings are communicated clearly so that public confidence in the healthcare system is strengthened. The tragedy that drew national attention to medical negligence should not be treated as an isolated incident involving a prominent personality. Rather, it should serve as a wake-up call for systemic reform.

Every Nigerian life carries equal value. Justice must not depend on prominence or privilege. When citizens demand accountability and institutions respond with fairness and transparency, trust begins to grow. Nigeria’s health sector is filled with dedicated doctors, nurses, and medical workers who save lives daily despite difficult conditions. Recognising their commitment, however, should not prevent society from confronting the reality that negligence sometimes occurs—and when it does, it must be addressed firmly. If this painful moment encourages Nigerians to speak up, demand accountability, and push for stronger regulatory systems, it may yet produce meaningful reform. Citizens must refuse to accept negligence as fate, while government strengthens oversight and improves healthcare conditions. Only through this collective effort can Nigeria build a healthcare system where every patient—regardless of social status—receives safe, responsible, and dignified care.

By: Calista Ezeaku

Opinion

As The World Celebrates Women

Published

1 day ago

March 16, 2026

The Tide

Quote:” “Every woman who works tirelessly to raise her children, run a business, support her family or contribute to her community is shaping the future of society. These quiet, everyday efforts may not always make headlines, but they remain the foundation upon which strong families, communities and nations are built.”

The celebration of International Women’s Day offers another important moment to reflect on the strength, resilience and achievements of women across the world. It is a time not only to celebrate the progress made over the years, but also to recognise the courage, determination and commitment that continue to define women’s contributions in every sphere of society. Across the globe, women are steadily breaking barriers and redefining possibilities. From leadership and governance to science, education and enterprise, women continue to prove that their capacity to contribute meaningfully to development is limitless. Particularly inspiring are the strides being made by women across Africa and here in Nigeria. In many instances, these achievements are recorded despite limited access to resources and opportunities when compared with their counterparts in other parts of the world. Yet, through determination, hard work and resilience, women continue to rise above these challenges and make their mark

In Nigeria today, the role of women in national development is increasingly evident. Women are actively shaping policies, building businesses, strengthening institutions and supporting communities. Their influence can be seen in sectors such as healthcare, education, media, technology and public administration. Through dedication and innovation, they contribute significantly to the growth and stability of the nation. In Rivers State, women have also distinguished themselves in remarkable ways. Across different sectors, they continue to make meaningful contributions to the political, economic and social advancement of the state. Many are thriving as entrepreneurs, running successful businesses, supporting their families and creating opportunities for others. Others are making valuable contributions within the healthcare sector, working tirelessly as doctors, nurses and administrators to improve the wellbeing of communities.

Women in the state are also excelling in academia, nurturing young minds and contributing to knowledge through teaching and research. In the media and communication sector, they play critical roles in information dissemination, shaping public conversations and telling the stories that matter to society. Within government institutions and the civil service, women continue to demonstrate professionalism, competence and dedication to duty. Over the years, Rivers State has produced women whose accomplishments have earned them respect and admiration both within and outside the state. The Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Professor Ngozi Nma Odu, stands as one such example. A seasoned academic and public servant, she continues to demonstrate the capacity of women to contribute meaningfully to governance and policy development. Her presence in such a high office serves as encouragement to young women who aspire to leadership and public service.

Similarly, the Head of Service of Rivers State, Dr. (Mrs.) Inyingi S. I. Brown, has demonstrated strong leadership within the public service. Her role in coordinating and strengthening the activities of the civil service reflects years of dedication, professionalism and commitment to service. Another notable example is Justice Mary Odili, whose distinguished career in the judiciary stands as a testament to discipline, excellence and commitment to justice. Her years of service at the highest level of Nigeria’s judicial system have made her a respected figure and a source of inspiration to many. While these women have earned public recognition for their contributions, it is equally important to acknowledge the countless women whose efforts often go unnoticed. Across homes, workplaces and communities, many women continue to make sacrifices that sustain families and strengthen society. Every woman who works tirelessly to raise her children, run a business to support her family, contribute to community development or serve diligently in her workplace is also making a significant impact.

These everyday efforts, often carried out quietly, remain vital to the growth and stability of society. As we reflect on the significance of this occasion, it is important to remember that every woman’s contribution matters. Whether in leadership positions or within the everyday responsibilities of life, the role of women remains central to the progress of our communities.To every woman striving to achieve her dreams despite the challenges along the way, your efforts are valid, seen and meaningful. Your journey matters. Your resilience, dedication and determination continue to inspire hope for a better and more inclusive society.

Happy International Women’s Day.

By: Ledornubari@star

Opinion

Agony In Ivory Tower

Published

1 week ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

Quote: A university that tolerates missing scripts, result manipulation and ‘sorting’ is not merely failing students—it is quietly destroying the moral foundation of education itself.”

The sad cases of missing scripts, compulsory Sorting, inputting of wrong results and other obnoxious practices in some public universities, leave much to be desired. One cannot imagine how a student will be compelled to suffer consequences of the flagrant negligence of a Head of Department, a lecturer, Department staff or an ICT staff.Many academic and non academic staff in several public universities seem to be performing far below standard, thus unproductive to the university system. The unacceptable cases of sorting, missing scripts, missing results, inputting of wrong grades to students, should not be mentioned in a university, not even in any academic community. This is because people who are employed to work in various positions should have cognate work experience and unquestionable competence. They should not be seen as certificate welding illiterates but people who have been proven to be worthy in learning and character, diligent and competent to carry out assigned responsibilities with minimal or no supervision.

The university as a citadel of learning should boast of men of integrity, people who are repositories of applied knowledge and competence to drive the much desired holistic development in a nation that functions on quality teaching and learning. A situation where a student having gone through the crucibles of learning and written a prescribed semester examination or class-based evaluation test, is told that his or her script is missing or that he or she did not participate in that academic exercise, or must sort to pass, is an unpardonable error and a height of callousness. In fact some lecturers and staff of Departments are using the seeming systemic defect (which is their architecture) as an opportunity to extort students. Sometimes it is discovered much to students chagrin that the supposed missing script was later discovered when a ransom was paid.

Since a lecturer, or Head of Department has in their disposal both Yam and the knife and determines who takes what (if they wish to give without strings), students have no alternative but to submit to their importunate demands in order to graduate at record time.Such practices should be unheard of in an institution that should be a vanguard of moral and ethical values and conduct. What people learn in school constitute their behavioural patterns in the society. Where the school as an agency of socialisation cannot drive positive change first in its immediate environment, then the objective of education as a bedrock for the development of society, is inevitably compromised and counter-productive. The German Reformer, Dr. Martins Luther was quoted as saying, “I advise parents not to put their wards or children in any school where the Bible is not being used as a rule of life because such institutions will unnecessarily be corrupt”.

Gleaning from Luther’s sentiment one can deduce that the lack of respect and regard for values as well as the absence of the fear of God is the greatest undoing of most public schools. Another major challenge is that lack of Information, Communication and Technology literacy or compliance on the part of some lecturers and heads of department, may have informed the decision to give students’ scripts to secretaries to compile and input students results thereby making the secretaries the determinants of students’ fate. It is not saying a new thing that some of the secretaries in the process of compiling results have inputted wrong results, omitted names or down graded some students or given unmerited grades to others.Society today is ICT-driven and ICT-literacy enhances efficiency, speed and a reasonable degree of accuracy if the person behind the computer is level headed, articulate, competent, alive to responsibilities and is aware that negligence on his or her part is not only tantamount to a disservice to the university but to the students who may not graduate at record time because of his or her (computer operator’s) gross ineptitude or carelessness.

The ICT era makes the carrying of hard copy of results obsolete as lecturers through the Heads of Department can log on to the central server of the Exams and Records (if any) or ICT unit and input students’ results directly. By so doing the incessant cases where result on spread sheet is different from the one published online, more often than not, caused by abject negligence, will be avoided. The process will also end the intermediary services of some staff in the universities’ Information, Communication and Technology Department which has become a money spinner-a lucrative source of income to many of them. In fact some ICT staff reserved the power to award grades to students depending on students’ degree of compliance to terms and conditions. They can dubiously make or unmake a student. The university community should be considered too lofty to have careless, negligent, immoral and academic or professionally deficient people as academic or non-academic staff.

The Governing Councils and Senates of universities should be proactive in addressing the menace of missing Script, inputting of wrong results and sorting. This is necessary to end the slogan “Education is scam” so the system can produce quality students who are truly found worthy in learning and in character by operators who exemplify diligence, moral and ethical values. The much-needed reform must begin within the institutions themselves, because the future of any society is shaped in its classrooms.

By: Igbiki Benibo