Time 100 is a list of the 100 most influential people in the world according to the American news magazine, Time. It was first published in 1999 and runs annually. Appearing on the list is often seen as an honour but Time makes it clear that entrants are recognized for changing the world, regardless of the consequence of their actions.

The 2015 Time 100 list had names like Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, Narendra Modi, Hilary Clinton, Vladimir Putin etc. For the first time in history four Nigerians made the list: Muhamadu Buhari, Obiageli Ezekwesili, Chimamanda Adichie and Abubakar Shekau. The name Shekau sticks out like a sore thumb. Why? Its the same Shekau that heads the dreaded terror group, Boko Haram that operates in the North Eastern part of Nigeria which has killed or rendered many people homeless. It is the same Shekau that military forces have reportedly killed three times but has someone managed to stay alive. Nigerians received the 2015 list with mixed reactions. Many were of the opinion that Shekau should not have made the list because of the atrocities he has committed but I beg to defer. Shekau is not unqualified to be named on the list. Let me expatiate.

An influential person is one who has the power to affect, control or manipulate something or someone; the ability to change the development of fluctuating things such as conduct, thoughts or decisions.

Going by the above we can agree that Shekau meets the criteria to be selected in the 2015 Time 100 list of influential people even though it's for the wrong reasons, some of which are:

1. Between 2011 and 2015, Boko Haram, led by Shekau, has carried out series of deadly attacks on all manner of targets like schools, churches, mosques, government building and even prisons. Notable amongst these include the 2011 bombing of the Nigeria Police Headquarters in Abuja, bombing of the UN House in Abuja, 2012 church bombings in Kaduna, 2013 shooting of schoolboys in a Yobe state school, and the 2014 kidnap of schoolgirls in Chibok (this brought global condemnation) etc. Within the same period Boko Haram is estimated to have killed over 12,000 people, creating over 3million IDPs in the process. Is this not influence?

2. The Nigerian government has been kept on its toes by Shekau and his boys. Even though GEJ once stated that Boko Haram could not dictate how his government ran its affairs there have been occasions where government has been seen to make certain shifts as a result of Boko Haram attacks orchestrated by Shekau. The 2012, 2013 and 2014 Independence day celebrations have been held in Aso Rock and not the Eagle Square, the usual venue due to fear of bombing. Nigeria had to send troops to Mali to fight rebels who were believed to be training Boko Haram fighters and providing them with arms. Many Nigerian soldiers have been court martialled for mutiny. The GOC of Maiduguri barracks was redeployed because of Boko Haram attacks which led troops under his command to fire at him. What more is influence?

3. Boko Haram tactics is typical of guerrilla warfare. The deadly group found safe havens on the poorly patrolled borders of Nigeria from where its fighters attack neighbouring countries. This caused Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon to form a coalition of forces, which launched coordinated attacks on Boko Haram. This reigned in the sect and freed many of the towns it had taken over. Please define influence if it has any other meaning than 4 nations against 1 man.

4. The activities of Shekau has dome significant damage to the economy of Nigeria. According to World Investment Report, FDI into Nigeria dropped 21% in one year from $8.9bn in 2011 to $7bn in 2012. Arable lands in the North East have been abandoned, food crops destroyed. Banks and many other companies have closed shop leading to job losses. When Nigeria hosted WEF Africa in 2014 Abuja was locked down for security reasons to prevent Boko Haram launching any attacks.

5. Because of the extent of the wanton damage Boko Haram has done it has been widely discussed on various platforms around the world. The #BBOG campaign (the reason ObyEzeks made the Time 200 list in 2015) has received global attention especially when Malala, the girl child activist, visited GEJ in 2014. The inability of the GEJ led government to curb Shekau and his boys is one of the major reasons he lost the 2015 elections to Buhari. Of all the points listed the loss of elections and #BBOG ensured Shekau made the Time 100 list.

Although appearing on the list is often seen as an honour it is not always so. The list has names of people who have changed the world for good or bad. Shekau placed Nigeria and its neighbours on the global map of terror. His activities affected government policy and economic growth forecast. Recall the botched arms purchase deal in South Africa? It happened because Nigeria was desperate to purchase arms needed to defeat Shekau and Boko Haram. For the wrong reasons, Shekau meets the criteria to be named in the 2015 Time 100 list.

NB: It is asinine to say that Shekau, Buhari and ObyEzeks work together because they were named on the same list. This is most preposterous. The three made the list for various reasons. GEJ would have made the list if he defeated Buhari. We must desist from making such allegations or provide concrete evidence to prove it.

NNAEMEKA UDOKA

because of Shekau, Nigerians (baboons and monkeys) replaced GEJ with GMB. Thats influence.

so shecow is still alive?

shekau...the cat with nine lives .....

why didnt time enlist shakau in 2011 2012 2013 2014 why must it be 2015? what was the enfluence of oby? was it the campaign of bring back our girls?
three of them are enlisted in the list for discrediting GEJ govt n nothing more

fritiyo:
why didnt time enlist shakau in 2011 2012 2013 2014 why must it be 2015? what was the enfluence of oby? was it the campaign of bring back our girls?
three of them are enlisted in the list for discrediting GEJ govt n nothing more

So Oby and Boko Haram were the cause of GEJ's failed re election bid?

themilanway:


So Oby and Boko Haram were the cause of GEJ's failed re election bid?

their quest to make sure that he ws painted nagetive in the eyes of the people was the reason why GEJ is seen as a failure.
every action taken as a consequence that follows.

fritiyo:


their quest to make sure that he ws painted nagetive in the eyes of the people was the reason why GEJ is seen as a failure.
every action taken as a consequence that follows.

So Oby and Boko Haram were the reason GEJ failed to perform?How did they paint him negative?

Influential indeed!!!I beg I no fit trek..if I hear sey I no follow car from lagos come Abj.