By Abiodun Popoola


Ideally, vis-a-vis the Nigeria's Constitution of 1999 (as amended) stipulates that "the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government", Chapter II, under Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principle of State Policy. In the same vein, Chapter IV of our Constitution under Fundamental Rights make provisions that guarantee every person a right to life and personal liberty.

Security therefore, may be defined as the state of being secure, free from danger, fear and threat. Security is most often understood as safety. Safety which includes freedom from harm; physical or psychological. This is not the case in reality, the government hasn't lived up to expectations in securing the lives and property of its citizens as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, killing and massive destruction have been order of the day.

The National Assembly responded to the wave of killings and kidnapping in several states by calling for the decentralisation of the Nigeria Police from the Federal level to the states. This consequently led to creation of "Amotekun", the contentious security outfit by the Southwest Governors to tackle herdsmen menace in the region which is yet to kick-start its functionalities. The exigency of the security outfit was borne out of the abduction of the daughter of Afenifere chairman and elder statesman, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, whom was later murdered by her abductors.

Another formation to combat banditry and other vices is the Northwest is civilian JTF and Hisbah. Other geopolitical zones were also tilting towards the same direction before the pandemic.

Banditry is at its peak in the North, ravaging communities and herdsmen rampaging the South, and the situation is getting worse by the day amid coronavirus pandemic. For almost a decade, Boko Haram has been a recipe for serious crisis and commotion in our country, and has remained a thorn in the flesh to the nation.

The Dapchi Schoolgirls abduction from their dormitory at Government Girls Science and Technical College in Yobe State, that gained global prominence on February 19, 2018 is still fresh in our memories. Although, the girls were afterwards released in a deal with the Nigerian Government but leaving out on one of them that refused to denounce her religion (Christianity), Leah Sharibu.

Boko Haram insurgents have displaced over 3 million persons across the nation and have rendered about three-hundred thousand people refugees in neighboring countries like; Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

Before the outbreak of COVID-19, Abuja-Kano-Kaduna expressways were nightmare, owing to kidnapping and killing, likewise other major highways in the country.

It is clear that we have a serious problem on our hands and it requires urgent attention from the security apparatus. Unfortunately, the government has not done enough in doggedly fighting what technically seems like an eternal battle; these nefarious and villainous activities are still striving ceaselessly.

I therefore urge governments at all levels to take the bull by the horns in dealing decisively with these menaces, during and after we must have flattened the curve on COVID-19 pandemic; no nation can make progress when its people live in perennial fear for their lives and property.

God bless Nigeria.

By Abiodun Popoola

COVID-19: The Politics of the Lethal Disease

It is appalling or rather unfortunate that some states in the country are playing politics with the numbers of people that tested positive for COVID-19, in order to get grants from the federal government, private sector, individuals and foreign donors. The unpreparedness and carelessness of these states have frustrated the federal government's efforts in combating this unseen and potent beast causing havoc globally.

Kano State is a point of interest and readily comes to mind with the strange deaths ravaging the state. Kano has lost more than 14 prominent personalities which includes; notable Businessmen, renowned Professor of Economics, a Journalist and traditional Heads. Report says they died in strange circumstances. Barely a week after the index case in the state was recorded, the Governor started making demands for funds reportedly close to 15billion, from the federal government and made an allusion to Lagos collecting same. This questions his intentions and integrity.

Also, it was allegedly reported that the Governor rejected a newly built 60-bed capacity hospital as isolation centre for COVID-19 patients in the state because it is owned by a supposed political opponent. Hundreds of thousands of lives are at stake and the state government is playing politics with donation of a hospital. This is the highest level of insensitivity and a disservice to humanity.

The incompetence and lackadaisical approach of the Kano state government in the management of emerging challenges have caused the high number of deaths in the state and the dreaded virus is now spreading like a wildfire.

Similarly, some states of the federation were harping on who is more important in getting the stimulus funds and other palliatives, which has led to the deliberate argumentation of the confirmed case in many states. The sack of a Medical Director was reported in a state in the South owing to his refusal to connive with the state government to inflate number of cases.

We can do better, placing monetary values or settling political feud at the expense of human life is barbaric and it doesn't preach the tenets of our core values as a people. Let us remember the judgment of posterity.

God bless Nigeria!

By Abiodun Popoola

COVID-19 Lockdown: Dehumanisation and Brutality against Nigerians by Security Agents

A theory is at the root of the growing trend where the military and police enforce government lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). But, the reality is that the security forces, especially the soldiers, traditionally have a less than friendly reputation with the populace. The enforcement of lockdown regulations has resulted in reported incidents against the security agents, ranging from assault, torture, harassment, obstruction and discharging of firearm.

Expectedly, the incessant heinous, nefarious and growing dehumanisation and killing of innocent Nigerians, chiefly in the south, by Nigeria’s Armed Forces cannot be over-emphasized. Majority of us have seen the viral video of bestial soldiers, mostly from the northern extraction, ordering people to swim in sewage. That is the height of disservice to humanity. Not too long ago, a motorist identified as Joseph was shot dead in Warri, Delta State by a soldier for allegedly flouting the state government’s stay-at-home order. This incident was greeted with a lot of criticism and backlash from the populace.

Recently in Calabar, the capital city of Cross River, a taxi driver was reportedly beaten to dead by security operatives for allegedly conveying passengers who were not wearing face masks. Similarly, a police officer in Abia State allegedly killed a petrol station attendant in the course of chasing and arresting a defaulting driver. In the same vein, the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and Medical Guild raised the alarm over an allegedly undue harassment of health workers by men of the Nigerian Police Force.

The swift deployment of military personnel in civil cases such as this is unacceptable. There have been numerous reports of brutality and violence by security agents all over the country, which is alarming and distasteful.

By Abiodun Popoola

COVID-19 Lockdown: Dehumanisation and Brutality against Nigerians by Security Agents

A theory is at the root of the growing trend where the military and police enforce government lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). But, the reality is that the security forces, especially the soldiers, traditionally have a less than friendly reputation with the populace. The enforcement of lockdown regulations has resulted in reported incidents against the security agents, ranging from assault, torture, harassment, obstruction and discharging of firearm.

Expectedly, the incessant heinous, nefarious and growing dehumanisation and killing of innocent Nigerians, chiefly in the south, by Nigeria’s Armed Forces cannot be over-emphasized. Majority of us have seen the viral video of bestial soldiers, mostly from the northern extraction, ordering people to swim in sewage. That is the height of disservice to humanity. Not too long ago, a motorist identified as Joseph was shot dead in Warri, Delta State by a soldier for allegedly flouting the state government’s stay-at-home order. This incident was greeted with a lot of criticism and backlash from the populace.

Recently in Calabar, the capital city of Cross River, a taxi driver was reportedly beaten to dead by security operatives for allegedly conveying passengers who were not wearing face masks. Similarly, a police officer in Abia State allegedly killed a petrol station attendant in the course of chasing and arresting a defaulting driver. In the same vein, the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and Medical Guild raised the alarm over an allegedly undue harassment of health workers by men of the Nigerian Police Force.

The swift deployment of military personnel in civil cases such as this is unacceptable. There have been numerous reports of brutality and violence by security agents all over the country, which is alarming and distasteful.

By: Abiodun Popoola

COVID-19 Lockdown: The Nausea of Staying Home

In line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s order on restriction of movement in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja (FCT) for 14 days, on Sunday night, 29th of March. However, other states of the federation have followed suit in the “Stay-at-home” order in curbing the rapid spread of the virus, which literally brings the whole nation under lockdown. It is noted that only people rendering essential services, such as health workers, manufacturers and distributors of health equipment and drugs, food and water companies were exempted from the order. Also allowed to move are workers in telecommunications, petroleum distribution, power companies as well as financial institutions and the media, amongst others whose jobs cannot be handled at home. In acknowledgment of the hardship the restriction order might cause, the federal and many state governments have been thinking of every possible palliatives of mitigating and cushioning the adverse effects of this compulsory curfew on the populace, as hunger could be deadlier than the virus.

Mixed reactions from husbands and wives all over the nation have trailed the “Stay-at-home” directive as many wives expressed delight, saying that it had strengthened bonding between them and their spouses. Well, some husbands expressed dissatisfaction and distaste at the development which some of them described as “house arrest”. A good number of wives are happy that the order has compelled their husbands to spend time with them and the children, thereby cementing the bond between the couples and family members. On the part of the husbands, they expressed bliss that the situation had kept their families together again, after sometime and they are enjoying the euphoria. Nonetheless, some insist that it has weakened financial strength, since many husbands earn their income through daily means. Before now, most men spend much time in bars and other recreational places after work daily and come home late at night, instead of returning home to their families in early hours.

Conversely, this might not be the same scenario in some places around the world. According to reports from some cities in China, the lockdown is not going down well, as many people were lined up to file for divorce. These chinese cities recorded “record-high” numbers of divorce filings in their histories. The USA, Canada, Germany among other countries have also recorded high numbers of divorce cases. One reason divorce rates have likely risen is due to self-isolation, as against the common reason of infidelity. The couples have been in confinement with each other for over a month, which evoked the underlying conflicts. They have been arguing more than usual because one person doesn’t take precautions exactly the way the other one wants them to, hence causing simmering disgust and tension. They tend to get into heated arguments because of something petty and rush into getting divorce.

Let's keep our fingers crossed and see how it pans out between Nigerian couples as we navigate through this period, even if it got beyond this 14-day restriction.

By: Abiodun Popoola

COVID-19 Lockdown: The Nausea of Staying Home

In line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s order on restriction of movement in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja (FCT) for 14 days, on Sunday night, 29th of March. However, other states of the federation have followed suit in the “Stay-at-home” order in curbing the rapid spread of the virus, which literally brings the whole nation under lockdown. It is noted that only people rendering essential services, such as health workers, manufacturers and distributors of health equipment and drugs, food and water companies were exempted from the order. Also allowed to move are workers in telecommunications, petroleum distribution, power companies as well as financial institutions and the media, amongst others whose jobs cannot be handled at home. In acknowledgment of the hardship the restriction order might cause, the federal and many state governments have been thinking of every possible palliatives of mitigating and cushioning the adverse effects of this compulsory curfew on the populace, as hunger could be deadlier than the virus.

Mixed reactions from husbands and wives all over the nation have trailed the “Stay-at-home” directive as many wives expressed delight, saying that it had strengthened bonding between them and their spouses. Well, some husbands expressed dissatisfaction and distaste at the development which some of them described as “house arrest”. A good number of wives are happy that the order has compelled their husbands to spend time with them and the children, thereby cementing the bond between the couples and family members. On the part of the husbands, they expressed bliss that the situation had kept their families together again, after sometime and they are enjoying the euphoria. Nonetheless, some insist that it has weakened financial strength, since many husbands earn their income through daily means. Before now, most men spend much time in bars and other recreational places after work daily and come home late at night, instead of returning home to their families in early hours.

Conversely, this might not be the same scenario in some places around the world. According to reports from some cities in China, the lockdown is not going down well, as many people were lined up to file for divorce. These chinese cities recorded “record-high” numbers of divorce filings in their histories. The USA, Canada, Germany among other countries have also recorded high numbers of divorce cases. One reason divorce rates have likely risen is due to self-isolation, as against the common reason of infidelity. The couples have been in confinement with each other for over a month, which evoked the underlying conflicts. They have been arguing more than usual because one person doesn’t take precautions exactly the way the other one wants them to, hence causing simmering disgust and tension. They tend to get into heated arguments because of something petty and rush into getting divorce.

Let's keep our fingers crossed and see how it pans out between Nigerian couples as we navigate through this period, even if it got beyond this 14-day restriction.

By: Abiodun Popoola

COVID-19: The Cacophony of Apprehensive Nigerians

This is no longer news that we now live with the novel coronavirus disease. COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2), the nomenclature derived as a result of its outbreak in December, last year (2019). A disease that originated from a city, Wuhan in China, has yet infected over 600, 000 people and recorded about 27, 000 deaths across 192 countries. Its symptoms range from dry cough, fever, sneezing, high temperature and general tiredness. This virus, had since its inception, beaten the imaginations of the epidemiologists and scientists around the world. The possible cause of this contagious and infectious virus is yet to be ascertained, as the World Health Organisation (WHO) postulates that there is still a lot yet to be known about the deadly virus. Its exponential widespread globally has ensued panic.

Bringing it home, here in Nigeria, where most of its cases were imported. There are confirmed cases of 97, 3 discharged and recorded 1 fatality currently. “We now have a common devil to fight and the ruthless scourge is showing no mercy”. These confirmed cases include some high government officials and prominent personalities in the society. However, many Nigerians believe that the government has been economical with the actual figures of confirmed cases, as they allude that there are still many unconfirmed cases within communities, yet to be tested. Nigerians are asking, how far can the government drive us in this period of pestilence? The pestilence that has successfully brought the whole world to its knees.

The continual and perennial silence of the President amidst this calamity has been greeted with a lot of criticisms from some quarters, as many have questioned the health status and make insinuations about the physical well-being of Mr President. Some comments read: “What more could the Federal Government's complacency, ineptitude, inactiveness and double-standard cause us than these deplorable moments? President Buhari couldn't have timely shut the airports and borders because his daughter, some government officials and dignitaries were yet to arrive in the country leaving us in this messy and sorry phenomenon”. So Sad!

Truly, the land is no longer at ease. "Things have fallen apart and the centre no longer holds", which brings to the front burner, the epicentre of this dreaded virus, Lagos State. The President has successfully jeopardized the lives of the citizens domiciled in the “Centre of Excellence” and the nation at large. Whilst the efforts of the state government, Babajide Sanwo-olu and his unrelenting team in containing this ravaging virus is laudable and meritorious, it is also worthy of note that things have gone beyond repair. It is unfortunate, that we are mostly reactive rather than being proactive in dire situations, like that of this pandemic. We cannot belabour the incompetence and insensitivity of this present administration in safeguarding the lives of the populace, rather than adhering to the simple health tips by experts, which include; observing basic personal hygiene by washing your hands regularly and applying alcohol-based sanitisers and maintaining social distancing of at least 2.5metres, amongst other precautionary measures.

Nonetheless, times like this are mostly inevitable. There are times of turbulence, affliction and disaster. It is just a season, it will pass away and in the end, we shall rise. Hence, the cliche: This phase shall pass!

We are in anticipation of other unfolding events.

"The rich also cry"- This is evident in this Covid-19 pandemic.

Tundenoni:
The worse has not even arrived. Just wait until the Jehovah witnesses finds out that everybody is at home �� ���

Trying to infuse humour in dire times like this. Nice one!