If you are familiar with Greek Mythology then you must have read
about Pandora and her box which she got as a wedding gift from Zeus with
instructions not to open it. The box contained all the evils of the
world. Out of curiosity, Pandora opened the box and out poured all the
evils in the world today.
Curiosity killed the cat, so the saying goes. But these days it seems
humans have become more curious than cats and can’t help opening boxes.
Mind you, there was evil in existence before Pandora opened her box.
Just it was trapped in a box and wouldn’t have seen the light of day if
Pandora hadn’t done the honours.
Pandora is no longer with us but we have been gifted a saying to
remember her by. When we today speak of opening Pandora’s box, we mean
that someone takes an action which seems innocent but turns out to have
severe consequences. Like Murtala Nyako, current governor of Adamawa
state and former Naval officer 1966 to 1993.
That Nyako began serving in the Nigerian Navy in 1966 is noteworthy.
1966 was a pivotal year in Nigerian history, a year many people would
rather not talk about. A year we have kept in a box. A year when the
beats of drums of war gathered momentum. A year Nyako decided to talk
about in his recent memo.
The Nigeria that Murtala met when he returned from his Naval studies
in England was certainly not the one he left behind in 1963. There had
been the first military coup in Nigeria, January 15, 1966 in which
Ahmadu Bello, Tafawa Belewa and Festus Okotie Eboh were assassinated.
This coup was followed barely 6 months later by a counter coup in July
which led to the spilling of more blood. This time Aguiyi Ironsi and
Adekunle Fajuyi were victims. Things degenerated quickly and by May
1967, just 7 months after Nyako returned to Nigeria, we were a nation at
war.
Then in his mid-20s and a military man, Nyako no doubt witnessed
first-hand the events that led to the Nigeria Biafra war. Perhaps he was
aware of the killing of Igbos which prompted Ojukwu to declare the
state of Biafra. He probably played a role in the war and may even have
been part of what Chinua Achebe would later describe as a genocide of
the Igbos. No one has been held responsible for the mass killings in
Eastern Nigeria during the war including the well documented Asaba
massacre of October 1967.
Now at 71, Governor Nyako’s memory may need to be refreshed. He may
need to be reminded that the word ‘collateral damage’ was invented
because in war situations “shit happens”. Do we need to remind Governor
Nyako that Nigeria is a nation at war. Do we need to remind Governor
Nyako that his primary responsibility as the Governor of his state is to
secure the lives of his citizens. Do we need to remind Governor Nyako
that there have been about 33 attacks leading to the loss of about 200
lives attributed to Boko Haram in Adamawa alone. We need to find out
from Governor Nyako what he intends to do about the war in his state. If
Federal troops are withdrawn from his state today, how will he fight
this war?
One good thing Nyako’s memo has accomplished is that he has brought
to the front burner again the need to write Nigeria’s history. We cannot
have people come up with their own version of events whenever it suits
them.
Perhaps, we really need to go back to January 15 1966 and talk about
the civil war and its effects. Were there not people in the North back
then who actively called for the killing of Easterners? Since Governor
Nyako is talking about a compensation for the North while the war is
still on, shouldn’t we talk about a compensation for the East decades
after the war? If we all agreed to the “no victor no vanquished”
philosophy after the civil war, shouldn’t we even more so subscribe to
this philosophy for the war on terror? Since Governor Nyako decides to
compare the pogrom to the fight on terror, should we not help him draw
more comparisons?
Just as evil existed before Pandora opened her box, the opinion that
this administration is not doing all in its power to curb the Boko Haram
menace has been touted in certain circles. There have been conspiracy
theories of the complicity of government in various killings but there
is a reason these stories are not really repeated by right thinking
members of society just as there was a reason Zeus left evil in a box.
The reason is simple: such reasoning threatens the very foundation of
our nationhood. Even if it is true, any person who has information to
prove it will not throw it out for public debate. By resorting to cheap
theatrics Nyako has effectively rebased his authority and positioned
himself among infamous touts.
I have heard people say we should forget the messenger and take the
message. I agree. After all, Zeus didn’t punish Pandora for opening the
box! Thank you for the message Governor Nyako: There are unscrupulous
elements in the North causing mayhem. Sometimes, they unleash their
terror in ways the human mind cannot comprehend. Military intelligence
is being compromised and you agree with Mr President that there are
elements within government that are sympathetic to the cause of these
unscrupulous elements. We need to join hands and even invite the
international community to help out to root out this evil otherwise with
the way things are going there may soon cease to be a North. We all
should be worried.
SOURCE: www.www.thescoopng.com
No comments:
Post a Comment