Looking Beyond The ‘Boko Haram’

Some basic functions of a government are: provision of security, freedom, safety, stability, equality, and social services for its citizens. Also, maintaining law and order in the society is most paramount of all.

To be candid, government’s approach to some issues in this country, especially religious crises has been wrong in not a few cases. This has not helped matters.
The present situation in this country have been traumatising, to say the least, glaringly exposing the lapses of our leaders and their failure to redeem the country from predicaments that have bedeviled her for decades.

Muslims are peace-loving people whom everyone know are loyal, tolerant and very understanding, according to the teachings of Islam. ‘Islam’ is a word derived from one of the names of God, ‘Salam’, which means ‘Peace’. Islam is not only a religion, but also a universal civilisation and natural way of living. The doctrines of Islam inspire mankind with ideals of love, obedience, truthfulness, kindness,tolerance, understanding, humility, politeness and struggle for the common good, and the pursuit of education, among others.
It would be right to say that the security situation, like the crises and bomb blasts could be attributed to poor leadership, a faal-out from lack of qualitative,free education, insecurity, abject poverty, lack of job opportunities, selfish interest, corporal desire, infatuation, covetousness, and lackadaisical attitudes and injustice by the elites in the land.
However, I commend the efforts of Vice President Namadi Sambo in opening a window for dialogue with the ‘Boko Haram’ to sort things out. This is a good omen, a possible means to know their grievances and give peace a chance to reign.

Dialogue is a formal discussion or negotiation, especially between opposing sides in a religious, political or international conflict, etc, and according to the words of U.S. educator and author, Edgar H. Schein (1928 – ), “Dialogue cannot create the need for change, but it certainly facilitates the process of change”.
In line with this discourse, I would outrightly disqualify and disagree with the declaration and belief of those who undermine the call by Islam, for Muslims to seek knowledge. Islam and Islamic countries have contributed greatly to world civilisation. The first thing God created was the pen, a symbol of reading and writing. Also, the first commandment by God to the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (P.B.U.H) through Angel Jibril (Gabriel) was to read.

So, Islam emphasises the pursuit of knowledge through any means, but acquisition or struggle for knowledge is where we northerners are lagging behind, leading to low standard of education and high level of ignorance, as well as abject poverty.

There is also the issue of inability by governments to give our educational sector priority. That is one reason Nigeria cannot be compared with the Western world, because more than 26 per cent of their budget goes to the educational sector.

Education is key to enhancing the capacity of humans as individuals and as a resource for peaceful co-existence, mutual understanding and for national development. It is sad that northern Nigeria is lagging behind in almost all human endeavours. Truly, since the demise of the Premier of the northern region, Sardauna and other leaders of the first republic, the region has not had genuine leadership committed to uplifting the standard of living of the masses.

To this end, Northern leaders, royal fathers, elites, scholars, religious leaders, businessmen, etc, must all put their hands on deck, to salvage the situation, plus, everyone must go back to the drawing board in re-orientating the people, re-structuring the Islamic schools (‘Tsangaya’), checkmating the activities of any religious sect, implementation of a programme to realign with the moral values of the society in a religious context, eradicating poverty, providing job opportunities, to mention but a few. If the above mentioned are not considered, we may have to continue to contend with a plethora of problems. May God forbid and protect us all.

Therefore, it is paramount for leaders to bear in mind that a leader is expected to have genuine concern for the plight of the people, their sorrow, hardship, welfare and care about their lives, progress and happiness, rather than exploit them, only to reward them with anguish.

As touching moral virtues, Islam and Christianity teach justice, honesty, commitment, courage, bravery and truthfulness, and these have always elicited accolades.
History has not and will never at all record any falsehood, selfishness, injustice, dishonesty, neglect, nonchalance, greed, breach of trust and ignorance as having being upheld anywhere in the world.

People who have a sense of maturity, understanding, devotion to duty and commitment to responsibilities have always gotten the highest regard, respect, prayers and consideration of the people, like the premier of the Northern region, the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello received on a daily basis, because nobody has ever been honoured for what he receives. Rather, he is honoured for what he gives.

Finally, I appeal to the Christians and Muslims to be steadfast in prayers for peace to reign in our blessed country, Nigeria. Our problems are beyond the ‘Boko Haram’. Our problems are far greater than that. May God touch the minds of our leaders and guide them right.

Adamu Muh’d Usman, wrote in from Kafin-Hausa, Jigawa State.?