In Search of Peace

It is no longer news that my city Jos has been experiencing all kinds violent activities recently. This has been called by various names from ethno-religious to acts of genocide or ethnic cleansing. It is normal at times like this to have various attempts at restoring peace; I must mention the laudable peace march staged by the women in Jos lead by my good friend Mrs Esther Ibanga, it is a sign that our nation is coming to terms with the need to take our destiny in our hands and not leave in the hands of the band of looters called politicians. I sat with an old friend of mine who breezed in from the UK this afternoon and our discussion brought home to me the seriousness of the situation in Jos City and all the attempts being made to restore the peace. I just have this uncanny feeling that there must be a solution somewhere in the midst of all the gory tales of killings and maiming since all these are perpetrated by human beings.

It is my belief that every human problem will always require a human solution.Human solution begins with appreciating the value of humanness and creating an environment where humans can fully express their humanness. People are humans first before they are either males or female, Christian or Muslim, Lawyer or Doctor, white or black. This environment is made possible where JUSTICE is allowed to hold sway in areas on endeavour. One reason why the crisis in Jos and in every place where such persists is because there has not been a single case of conviction in the previous crisis and if there is any compensation for suffered losses, it is shrouded in secrecy because of the double standard measures employed. There are times also when we totally miss the mark as regards what JUSTICE is. It is erroneously seen & interpreted as a situation of equality and where everyone gets the same thing. It is my considered opinion that if every one gets the same thing in any society, it is the height of INJUSTICE. I believe JUSTICE is creating an environment where everyone gets what they deserve – the one who errs faces the full wrath of the law, the one who is wronged gets adequate compensation, every sector of the society receives developmental projects which are relevant to their ecological realities. I recently saw a news item where some northern youths were clamouring for the release of the former CSO to General Sanni Abacha (which I support because the trial has become a charade), but I was  miffed when I heard their grounds of protest – IT IS THEIR OWN WAY GETTING AMNESTY SINCE THE NIGER DELTA MILITANTS ARE RECEIVING AMNESTY . In as much i do not agree with the amnesty program because it is lacking in sincerity, but to compare a murder suspect with a Niger delta militant in the name of JUSTICE is a glorious display of ignorance – it is more like comparing apples and oranges because they are both fruits.

What we need in Nigeria is the appreciation of the Principle of fairness which my friend Dennis Bakke aptly defined as a situation where everyone does not get the same thing but what they deserve. One of the evil policies that must be removed from our national experience is that of Federal character, it goes against sound reasoning and makes nonsense of excellence and healthy competition which releases society’s best for governance and leadership. I don’t believe there will ever be a situation where a Muslim will ever agree with a Christian, or an Ibo man with a Hausa man, but an atmosphere of JUSTICE might not make them agree but will sure erode all fears of domination by the other. An atmosphere where both can improve themselves educationally, engage in righteous economic activities. There is no one who will burn houses or loot shops if he has any of those.

People kill and maim when they feel deprived or nurse the fear of the likelihood of being deprived. This is what will solve the Niger Delta problem, bring peace to Jos City, eliminate Boko Haram and make Al-Qaeda jobless. I used to believe this is all about religion and our love for our God in whatever form in which we see Him. But I have come to see now that  there are no religious crisis any where, people don’t love God that much and God is well and able to fight His battles, it is all borne out of fear of domination by the other people – religion is just a tool used by people to further their selfish desires.

There is no prayer potent enough nor is there a legislation or decree popular enough to bring peace – ONLY JUSTICE CAN.