50 YEARS ON: REMINISCING ON THE NIGERIAN CIVIL WAR

WARNING! Some of the pictures attached are graphic. Viewers discretion is advised!

I can't believe I finally got myself to write on this subject. I had deliberately decided not to make any statement about all of these, not like I had any magic words though. But beginning with the May 30 2017 curfew declared by easterners in the south southern and especially south eastern regions of Nigeria, to the October 1 ultimatum by the Northern youth in retaliation to what they considered a breach of the constitution and citizens right to freedom of movement and association, and the mounting agitations for secession, here I am, asking myself the very same questions you might also be finding answers to...

On Thursday, July 6th 2017, which coincidentally happened to be my birthday, Nigeria marked exactly 50 years since the declaration of military action against the Republic of Biafra by the General Yakubu Gowon led Federal Military Government on the 6th of July 1967. The next 30months from this date witnessed what has till date accounted for the bloodiest and most devastating conflict since the history of the entity called Nigeria. This antecedent is particularly significant especially in the wake of the recent and growing call for secession by the Igbo's to create a Republic of Biafra, and the many waters that are getting troubled thereby.

Having conscientiously built what many, and even he called 'the biggest army in black Africa', Ojukwu was convinced that a war would bring the freedom needed to emancipate the Igbo's from oppression, marginalization, deprivation (all of which are claims of today's Biafra agitation) by the Nigerian government. The war was full scale; approximately 915 days (sunset and sunrise) of bleak hopes, maimed bodies, sour experiences, whether they knew or not the issues resulting in the war, or whether or not they were in support of it. Even Biafran women were at the mercy of Biafran soldiers, children were coerced into combatant roles, older men and women were left vulnerable to flying aimless, and most times targeted grenades and bullets. Having expended two and half years, approximately 5million dollars and loosing close to two million lives, the Biafran leader; for whatever reason, left his soldiers on the battle field and sort asylum abroad, bringing an end to the Civil War, with Biafra defeated. The 'gains' and 'spoils' of the war are subject to whatever arguments you have of them.

Wars, some consider as 'continuation of politics by other means', some others as 'a process for making peace'. Whatever the understanding, regardless the rationale for them, wars are ALWAYS initiated by and serve 'a few' interests, as opposed to those of the masses. The recent Biafra agitations, as apt and timely as they may be thought to be, require more diplomacy than irrationality, more dialogue than conflict. Regardless how beautiful the Biafran dream, it shouldn't be built on the blood of Biafrans themselves, neither is the Unity of Nigeria worth any Nigerian life...

50 years down the line, the sad stories of this unfortunate conflict continue to be told in homes, schools and indeed everywhere across the state, it's ugly scars are still visible even in the economic, political and social life. The question however is, have the lessons being learnt? Your guess is as good as mine.

I wish both Nigeria and the IPOB the very best in the days and months ahead.

"If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men".

Reminiscing CHANGE 730 days later...

Beyond the ritual of churning out a statement to commemorate the day, the President's Address to the nation on Democracy Day (29th of May), as with every other remarkable day, is intended to serve as a mirror into the direction of the government in the period under review.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the Democracy Day address for this year was made by the Vice President, in acting capacity as the President, while President Buhari continues his INDEFINITE medical vacation in the UK (that is talk for another day).

Three issues stood out in Professor Osinbajo's address today, namely; Security, Corruption and the Economy. He continued by stating reasons why he and the rest of the government feel that some amount of progress is being made in these areas: the seeming conquer of the Book Haram sect; the prosecution of individuals alleged for corrupt practices; and several ongoing efforts to reverse the economic trend in Nigeria with initiatives as Economic Monitoring Team, Single Treasury Account, among others...

My submission is simple; we may not need an official address to let us know our current status as a nation, the living condition and hardship of ordinary Nigerians speak volumes already. While we must agree that governance is more of a journey than a destination, it is not gainsaying that Nigeria has been on this journey for way too long, and Nigerians seem to have become 'weary of travelling', but sadly the end may still be fat from sight.

I still believe in the Nigerian dream; I believe that little by little, tiny deeds of kindness and integrity in 180+ million places, will birth a Nigeria of our dreams. Hence, all hands must be on deck!

Happy Democratic Anniversary to Africa's Sleeping Giant!

Dead or Alive? The tale of two Nigerian Presidents.

So this happens to be my first post this year, and one may wonder why I choose to write on this subject among the many issues that beg for attention in today's Nigeria. Well, before I give any explanation, i would wish you all my very articulate readers the very best of the year 2017. And I hope also that you make more comments on this blog in the new year...

History doesn't always repeat itself. But many are fearful that might just be the case, especially with the 10day vacation of President Muhammadu Buhari to the UK and the various suspicions trailing this 'silent' vacation. On the 23rd November 2009, Late President Umar Musa Yar' Adua departed Nigeria on a similar vacation and medical checkup in Saudi Arabia. What was supposed to take just a few days or maybe weeks, latest for several months, without any formal communication to Nigerians the state of their own elected representative. In fact, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, on 22 January 2010, gave the Federal Executive Council (FEC) fourteen days to decide a resolution on whether Yar'Adua was "incapable of discharging the functions of his office". When the silence persisted, with its attendant unfortunate controversies, the Upper house of the National Assembly, on 9th February 2010, invoked the "doctrine of necessity" and transferred Presidential Powers to Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, declaring him Acting President, with all the accompanying powers, until Yar'Adua returned to full health.

On Tuesday Jan. 17, President Buhari wrote to the Senate informing the 'red chamber' of his intention to go on a "short medical vacation" from January 23rd to February 6th, in accordance with the Section 145 (1) of the 1999 constitution as amended, also stating that his Vice; Professor Yemi Osinbajo would "perform the functions of my office" while on vacation. Nigerians have since began to speculate that President Buhari is too sick to continue in office, some have even gone as far as pronouncing him dead.

Many have asked my views on the issue, and here is what I think; first, it is too early for panic and speculations as the medical vacation period has not elapsed, we can begin those speculations if on February 6th we are told that the vacation has been extended. Secondly, President Buhari stated clearly in his letter to the Senate that his Vice would act as President while he is away, so we are not afraid of an interregnum as it was in the case of Late President Yar' Adua. Thirdly, and more sentimental, I strongly recommend that we all pray and wish our dear President Buhari quick recovery and safe return to duty, as he has a country to fix. It would be unfair that he led us this far into recession to leave us here, that's on a lighter note. So on my own behalf, I wish President Muhammadu Buhari a quick recovery and safe return to duty...

Please share this post, and don't forget to drop your wishes for PMB on the comment section below. Gracias!

IDP CAMPS IN NIGERIA TURN BABY-MAKING FACTORIES

It was not entirely shocking to hear that Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camps in Nigeria have continued to record increasing birth rates, especially following reports of rape and violation of women and girls in many of these camps by security operatives and camp officials. What is disturbing however, is the rising toll of births. An article by Kreazetofa Odey on December 8, 2016; recounting the words of Mohammed Gujibawu; an IDP camp manager, reported that "no fewer than 3,213 pregnancies were recorded in Bakassi camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, between June and December this year (2016)". He also reported further that "there are 2,234 breastfeeding mothers among the 21,202 IDPs, the camp presently hosts".

These statistics are particularly interesting for a number of reasons: firstly, they represent records from Bakassi camp, which is just one of the 32 IDP camps remaining in Borno state, according to a NEMA report on November 1, 2016. Secondly, the 21,202 IDPs in Bakassi camp alone, which has grown from the initial 4,743 IDPs when the camp was opened, include both male and female IDPs, and although it is not clear how many male and female IDPs are in Bakassi camp, we would not be entirely wrong to put the ratio of women to babies at 10:1, or even worse. Thirdly, the challenges identified by the Bakassi IDP camp manager: inadequate supply for infants and adults, inadequate school learning materials for the children, lack of potable water, inadequate supply of drugs for underage patients, and absence of ambulance, completely left out the very significant challenge of violation and sexual harassment of women and girls. We can just go on and on!

The nature of IDPs in Nigeria is becoming a daily cause of concern that will most definitely to have a ripple effect on the Nigerian state, as well as implications on issues of mortality rate (infant and adult), population growth, unemployment, crime rate, among several others, in the very near future.

The Nigerian government seem to have left a lot to chance in the administration of IDPs and IDP camps in Nigeria, and unfortunately, the consequences would only manifest in the future, which is not too far from now...

VICTORIA ACERTA!

So the journey of Donald J. Trump to the White House can best be described with the phrase: A luta continua, Victoria Acerta!

Indeed, it was a struggle! But Donald Trump has finally been declared the 45th President-Elect of the United States of America - Victory has been won!

It has indeed been a November to Remember as finally a businessman has been elected to run the global 'business'. Donald Trump would be 'Trumpeted' into the Oval Office, come January 2017, especially amidst controversy.

Questions that beg for answers, for me, however, are:

1. What is the influence, if any, of the US Presidential debate for outcome of the election?

2. What are the real needs of the American people?

3. How well does the media mirror the view of society?

4. What are the implications of this outcome for Nigeria, especially how can we make the most of it?

Reflections on these questions, for me, are the crux of the moment while we give our prayers to Mr President-Elect, Donald J. Trump; 45th President-Elect of the United States of America.

ON YOUR BALLOT...

Wow! Sure you would agree with me that its been quite an intrigue: interesting display of politics, captivating mix of candidacy, and a very engaging global audience... We should give ourselves kudos!

The race to the Oval office is about to be decided; Americans are deciding; the Republican Trump and Democratic Hillary are about to hit the finish line of a race that began in the fall of 2014...

Kindly participate in the MykOgu Blog poll to predict who emerges as the 45th President of the Unites States of America... Simply type "Trump" or "Clinton" in the comment section on the blog.

On your ballot!...Get set!...White House!

Bigamist: You'll Be Surprised What It Means!

So I attended a lecture last week at the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER) on Women Bigamist in Southeast Nigeria, the lecturer and my friend; Dr. Amaka Emordi of the Department of Political Science at Obafemi Awolowo University had invited me. I honestly didn't know what to expect from the lecture, but my mind was blown away by the end of the lecture.

A woman bigamist is "a woman who simultaneously and successfully engages in more than one form of marriage". Don't get surprised just yet. A bigamist is not a lesbian, as she doesn't have any sexual relationship with her wife, even though they are legally married. Some variants of bigamy are: a woman marrying a younger woman for herself; a daughter marrying a wife for her father; a sister marrying a wife for her brother, among others.

Some of the major reason for bigamy include childlessness and the lack of male children. Poverty and social status as well as poor living standards are other factors necessitating women bigamy. Now, here are few complications from bigamy: the woman-husband (bigamist) fulfils all customary marriage rites and legally marries a fellow woman; the woman-wife is free to sleep with any man of her choice and as many men as she wants as long as it results in children for the woman-husband; the woman-wife is taken care of by her woman-husband as a man takes care of his wife and attends to her every need aside sexual... One interesting recommendation from the lecture, among others, is the establishment of sperm banks and encouragement of anonymous donations of sperms and female eggs to address the problem of infertility and lack of male children.

Now my questions:
1. Why on earth would you accept to be a woman-wife; legally married to a fellow woman?
2. Why would you buy sperm or eggs from a bank, or why not?

Kindly provide answers in the comment box, you never know who is reading... Shalom!