₦airaland Forum

hum

lol

5 Reasons why u should marry a fat(obese) girl
-Fat girls ar attractive
-Fat girls ar trustworthy
-Fat girls ar loving nd caring
-Fat girls ar submissive
-Fat girls ar simple minded

•5 Reasons why u should marry a slim girl.
- Slim girls ar smart
-Slim girls always look young
-Slim girls ar romantic
-Slim girls ar fashionable
nd stylish
-Slim girls ar neat

hum

.

WHY NIGERIANS DISRESPECT GOODLUCK JONATHAN

If you want to know why Nigerians disrespect President Goodluck Jonathan, don't stress yourself any longer, the answer is below.

No president act this way and escape being disrespected. In fact, any institution a person that act in this manner represent would be ridiculed and be brought to disrepute.

Editorial: The Nation.

A lying presidency

• Why would the Federal Govt lie that it did not give money to the Chibok girls’ parents?

When a country’s presidency speaks, its voice should be like that of the oracle. Its yes should be yes and its no, no. Unfortunately, the Nigerian presidency, like most other things and places characteristically Nigerian, is becoming notorious for lying. The latest of such lie from Nigeria’s seat of power has to do with the monetary gift reportedly given to the parents of the Chibok girls abducted by Boko Haram on April 15, and those of them that escaped, when they visited the Presidency on July 22.
To start with, it is quite shameful that it took the intervention of a teenage Pakistan girl, Malala Yousafzai, to wake President Goodluck Jonathan up to his responsibility on the abducted girls. But, the allegation that, in his attempt to obey the directive of the teenager, the President committed a presidential blunder by giving money to his visitors deserves more than a cursory attention. The matter has rightly been the subject of unending comments since the ‪#‎BringBackOurGirls‬ campaigners leader and former Minister of Education, Mrs Oby Ezekwesili, tweeted that the Federal Government offered N100 million to the distressed Chibok parents.
More disgusting is that since the issue was made public, the presidency has been giving Nigerians the impression that there is no iota of truth in it. Both the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati, and the Senior Personal Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, have denied that any money changed hands.
But these denials run counter to the claims of the beneficiaries and the Kibaku Area Development Association (KADA), the group representing the Chibok people in Abuja. According to the group, the Federal Government gave the parents and the escaped girls only N22.4million and not N100million. In other words, ‘there is no smoke without fire’, as they say.
The money, according to KADA, was brought by the senior special assistant to the president on special duties to the hotel where the visitors lodged, who told the girls that the government had sent them N100, 000 each. Sixty-one of the 122 parents who came got N200, 000 each; while 51 others got N100, 000 each. Because the calculations were wrong, the remaining 10 parents left empty-handed.
Predictably, it was the distribution of the money that led to a row among the affected parents, with some of them complaining that they had been shortchanged by the community’s leaders. “I was not able to go to Abuja; they chose some people from among us. Some received N100,000, some received N200,000, some received N300,000. Those of us in the village were given N7,000. This is not a thing of joy. What we want are our girls to be brought back home”, one of them reportedly said.
It is extremely baffling why the Federal Government resorted to telling a blatant lie, like the one it told the nation and the international community that it knows where the abducted girls are. It is a pity that, through the negligence and incompetence of the government, these girls have spent over 100 days in Boko Haram captivity without the slightest hope that they would ever be brought back to reunite with their parents. Yet, all we hear often from the President is that “we know where the girls are, and we will bring them back to their parents soonest”.
When we remember that President Nixon of the U.S.A. resigned in 1974 to stave off impeachment because he lied to the American people in what has become known as the ‘Watergate scandal’, we should view with all seriousness the lie by the Presidency this time around. It is one lie too many. Or, could it be that some officials, as usual, profited from this filthy lucre? The Presidency owes Nigerians an explanation on this untoward and fraudulent denial of the undeniable.

FM: Where did an ordinary special assistant to the president got the sum of 22.4 milliom naira to share to parents, is this not part of the corruption with impunity we are talking about?

SSS MASKMEN IN OSUN: SECURITY OR CRIMINALS?

I just saw the attached picture of sss maskmen deployed to osun for the purpose of august 9 governorship election.

The maskmen i know are the criminals,those who disguise to invade peoples properties to loot or cause havoc and those who kill protecting their identity to escape justice.

If our security forces suddenly became maskmen in osun under the guise of security, i think there is more to their presence in the state. The question is, are the maskmen in osun deployed to kill or to protect? Are they security or criminals? Are they for the people or against the people? No matter your response, this is practice is not an acceptable means of legitimate security. It is criminal in nature.

hum

.

Happy birthday to fuji star Saheed Osupa. Making us proud culturally

lol

hum

Buki, just keep it cool. The right guy will come knocking soon.

lol

LET SOMEBODY LOVE YOU
By Abdulrazaq O Hamzat

This write up is dedicated to all the gilted victims of love who found it difficult to forget the past and get back on the loving track.
Don’t hold back for too long, there are better men and women out there waiting to treat you better.

There is no one alive who doesn’t need love
Stop pretending like you are different
Yeah, we are all humans
And we all need someone to hold.
Even when you claim to be strong
Acting like you need no one
You know truly in your heart
That you still need someone.
You may be feeling pain from the past
Blaming yourself for being hurt
But I can see you are feeling kind of blue
Needing someone to comfort you.
So, why are u pushing love away?
When that is what you truly need
Don’t say its because you fell before on the love ladder
And you choose to remain down forever.
Open your heart
And be loved again
Rise from your downfall
And embrace the smile.
Your downward trend in love
Is an opportunity to learn
Acquire the knowledge
And be loved again.
Let somebody love you
Let somebody fill the space in your heart
Let somebody hold you And fill the empty vacuum.
I know of the many sleepless nights
The meditations and fraustrations
Loneliness and the blame game
I also know of that kind of feeling
When you are about to sleep
Seeing yourself smiling
While remembering the past moments.
Re-living the sweet past
When you are filled with joy
Wishing in your heart
That those days be back.
Holding tight your pilow
And wishing its real.
Don’t be shy don’t hold back
You can make it real.
Don’t close your heart to new suitors
Bad moment don’t last
Let somebody love you
It’s the least you can do.
Don’t lockup, just wake up
Its all for the better
You need to let your light shine
Good (Wo) men are all around.
I have been through it too
So I know how it feels.
It arent easy to find true love
But you should always give it a try
When someone comes calling
Let your pure heart and body take control
Catching up on all the places that you missed.
Pls kiss, squeeze,release
There is nothing like being inlove
But you can only be there when you have someone.
Dont close your heart for all in passing
The special one might just be searching
Hoping to find you in waiting
So as to live with you in loving
Giving you all the joy you have been missing
With care, understanding and forgiving.

Inspiration to write came after listening to 2face Idibia’s new album track titled ‘let somebody love you’’ featuring Kelly Bridget.

Men are being marginalized in Nigerian labor market. True or false?

.

.

hum

OPINION: Gbenga Olawepo: Victim of Kwara Ignorance (part 1) By Abdulrazaq O Hamzat

Date: 2014-07-30

"In the political firmament of Nigeria, there are young Saraki's, young Azikiwe's, young Adedoyin's who are children of established political and financial magnates, but there are few names that have made it on their own to the political centre stage like Gbenga Olawepo, a rising star with no fall back platform or push of any godfather or back up of any financial empire. Talking of emerging political leaders, this (Olawepo) is a true discovery". Tribune News Paper.

Going by historical precedence, Gbenga Olawepo is not new in Kwara State and indeed Nigeria politics. He first made the headlines in April 1989 as the PRO of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS)when as an anti-apartheid activist from University of Lagos, he and other student union leaders were clamped into Police cell after an anti apartheid protest.

In May-June 1989, he was part of the leadership of the anti-SAP and pro-democracy uprising organised by NANS. This revolt was said to be nationwide and gained support across regional and ethnic boundaries. The Ibrahim Gbadamosi Babangida (IBB) military regime dubbed it a ''civilian coup'' and reacted to it with an admixture of palliative concession and brutal force.

Gbenga was declared wanted by the regime and was later arrested and imprisoned without trial. Amnesty International described Olawepo has a prisoner of conscience and he was later freed after legal battle and so much international pressure.

As a political heavy weight determined to oust the Kwara overlord in 2007, Gbenga Olawepo run as a governorship candidate under Democratic People Party (DPP) and was declared the first runner up in the election against the son of the overlord and then incumbent Governor, Senator Bukola Saraki.

Having lost an election which many believed he won, Gbenga Olawepo dragged Saraki to electoral tribunal in quest to reclaim his mandate despite numerous appeal and offer of negotiation by Saraki, he insisted on pursuing the case to a logical conclusion after which he would gladly accept verdict of court. He refused to negotiate his much believed mandate.

However, In a legal battle that lasted for 2 years, Olawepo's quest to reclaim what he described as a stolen mandate failed when the federal court of appeal finally delivered its judgement in favor of Saraki. At this point, there was nothing left for him to do than accept the verdict of a competent court of law and return to his business to gather enough resources and prepare for another battle of emancipation.

It is however surprising that despite the huge investment of time and resources committed by this gentleman to erase the shame of Kwara as a struggling 47 year old state, the general ignorance of the population denied him an opportunity to serve the state when re-contested as governorship candidate in 2011 under the same party (DPP).

Olawepo lost the election in 2011 based on the negative propaganda of those bent on denying Kwara a chance to have a visionary leadership, he was accused of selling his governorship mandate in 2007 and running away after election.

As ridiculous as that sounds, the ignorance in the state manifests as many believed the false story without questioning their own reasoning and the logicality of such claim.

What many keen observer of the state politics had been wondering about is how can people believe that a man who unsuccessfully fought what he described as a stolen mandate be accused of selling the same mandate? This is a man who neither decamped from one party to another as other political candidates like Senator Sulaiman Ajadi and Theophilous Bamgboye did, Olawepo remained the back bone of his party DPP and maintained his principled stance.

Without receiving one kobo from any individual or party, he engaged in a 2 years legal battle against those backed by state resources, but his effort didn't pay off as the judgement was delivered against him in a competent court of law with no other option of re-appeal.

So, how can the same people that witnessed such a keenly contested legal battle accuse the victim which Olawepo represent in this instance of selling the mandate? This is the consequence of massive political ignorance on the part of the citizens.

From a random survey carried out by this writer, it was observed that, majority of the people are truly ignorant about the electoral process as well as the legal procedure to correct electoral frauds.

When asked on how Olawepo could sell a mandate keenly contested in court to a reasonable conclusion, many seems unaware, yet believed it was sold because it was reportedly said by another politician. This clearly shows that Kwarans were not guided by facts and reason, but rather by rumor and propaganda.

While some accuse him of selling the mandate for as low as N10 million, others say it was sold at N25million. However, investigation shows that in all, over the course of 2 years when the court battle was on going, over N50 million was spent by Olawepo to pursue the court case. This is apart from the huge resources spent during the election proper.

It became obvious that Indeed, Gbenga Olawepo is a victim of Kwara political ignorance and naivety.

Also, some Kwarans have ridiculously accused him of running after election. One begin to wonder the kind of politician people appreciate in this era

A man extracted resources worked for over the years from his private businesses in quest to free his people from what he described as political slavery, and having lost in an electoral contest with huge investment, he decided to return to his business to prevent collapse as well as prepare for future re-contest. Yet, he was accused of running away after election.

The question is, after Olawepo had lost in the legal battle that ends his hope of securing the mandate many believed he won, were the people expecting him to sit back at home without going to run his business? If he did stay with them, what would he be doing and where do they expect him to secure resources to finance another election if he wishes to re-contest? This is apart from the fact that kwara is a place where people are always expecting financial gratification from politician upon sight.

So, If Olawepo or any other politician didn't return to their businesses after losing an election where millions was spent, how and where can such people acquire enough financial strength to live and share to others? It seems we are now judging every politician by the standard of corrupt government officials who spend state resources with impunity. Such practices must stop for Nigeria to get any better.

It is my sincere opinion that, if Gbenga Olawepo didn't eventually make it to become Governor in kwara State, certainly, he shall be remembered as a leader kwara never had.This is a man who proffer realistic solutions to the many challenges confronting kwara state in a well researched document which he calls his blue print.

At a time when the president of Nigeria is promising to create 2 million jobs, Olawepo promised 400,000 jobs to Kwarans. While some people doubted the realistic nature of such promise, Gbenga presented the blue print titled, ''the leader we trust'' which contain the a to z of how such jobs would be created. The blue print contain how the jobs will be created, where it would be created, how much it will cost, where to secure the funds, how to pay back within four years and the sustainable nature that would allow other administration after him continue to reap the benefits. This is not just any job like the Kwabes or quick win scheme by the current administration of Alhaji Abdulfatai Ahmed, it is a scheme that would turn kwara into an industrial heaven, generate enough internal revenue and pays its workers handsomely while they contribute effectively to the economy of the state.

Finally, it is my believe that, Olawepo is seen by the general public as only a human, but to this writer, Gbenga is seen much more than that, he his many things rolled into one.

He his a human, a quality, a vision, a struggle as well as a history. He his gentle but vibrant, soft spoken but articulate, visionary but strategic and most especially, he his Godly.

Abdulrazaq O Hamzat writes from Abuja and can be reached on discus4now@yahoo.com
- See more at: http://www.ilorin.info/fullnews.php?id=6099#sthash.hNr444yi.dpuf

Ilorin, the city wrapped in a crisis of identity

Date: 2013-06-30

By Femi Owolabi and Akeem Adio

The clan of Ayeigun's compound of Itakure in Ilorin - where my Ilorinship is rooted - believes its members are descendants of the warrior, Afonja. Folks from the opposite compound believe they are descendant of the Islamic cleric and warrior, Sheik Alimi.

The Aiyeguns argue that it is a distortion of history to say that Ilorin is considered to be one of the Banza Bakwai, or copy-cats of the Hausa Kingdoms. This clan claims that at the start of the 19th century, Ilorin was a border town in the northeast of the Oyo Empire, (this, of course, is today geographically obvious) with a mainly Yoruba population but with many Hausa-Fulani immigrants or slaves. It was the headquarters of an Oyo General, Afonja.

Anthropologists have generally attributed the formation of personality to a complex interaction between an individual's generic inheritance and his life experiences. Community integration and the growth of mutually meaningful identities are created out of the idiosyncrasies of the numerous individuals of that community.

Today, Kadir my friend would say God forbids he's Yoruba. He's proudly Fulani. Amuda, my other friend would say it is over his dead body that he would be a Hausa/Fulani. And both friends share the same Ilorin origin.

On this identity wahala; we recall that in the mid 90s when the reigning Emir of Ilorin was crowned - or turbaned - he asked that Kolapo, a Yoruba name be removed from the line-up of his name. From records, Afonja had been the only ruler with the full Yoruba identity. He was 'Oba' Afonja. Names not identified with Yoruba continue to predominate the rulership after Afonja's assassination.

From; Abdusalami dan Salih Alimi, Shita dan Salih Alimi, Zubayro dan Abdusalami, Shita Aliyu dan Shita, Moma dan Zubayru, Sulaymanu dan Aliyu, Shuaybu Bawa dan Zubayru, Abd al-Qadiri dan Shuaybu, Zulkarnayni Gambari dan Muhammadu Laofe "Aiyelabowo V", Malam dan Abd al-Qadiri, and to the present Ibrahim Kolapo dan Gambari, only Zulkarnayni maintained a Yoruba name, 'Laofe, Aiyelabowo'. Ibrahim erased his.

For years, I have been trying to understand the bane of the identity crisis with people from Ilorin. And today, the socio-cultural critic and my guest columnist, Akeem Addio, leads us into a fresh perspective on this lingering debate.

Mentioning the name Ilorin, majority of people interested in socio-political or cultural issues will take their precious time hearing more in addition or subtraction to what they already hold in view of the city. However, there are some interesting parts in the history of Ilorin and its people; the cultural mix-up, political monorailed (Sarakism), foreign indigenous polity, religion (Islam) which has been the distinct trademark of the city in the country especially in the Yoruba speaking populace of Nigeria.

The truth of the matter is that Ilorin is naturally a Yoruba speaking settlement. The fact is that Afonja, once a Generalissimo, Aree Ona Kankafo of old Oyo Empire was the first ruler or Lord of Ilorin being the second in command to Alaafin, the great Emperor of Oyo Empire which was located somewhere around Bacita, Kwara Sate. Ilorin was his place of birth; he did not found Ilorin by himself, he was a citizen even by birth. His great grandfather, Laderin who was a popular elephant hunter from Oyo�Ile first settled in Ilorin alongside other Yorubas like Ojo Sekuse and Emila.

The name Ilorin was coined from WHETSTONE used by hunters and farmers then. Another version of the etymology of Ilorin is the Land of Elephants (Ilu Erin) which was later metamorphosed to Ilorin from ILU-ERIN. Perhaps, there are some historical remnants of this story still remaining. At present, there is a neighbourhood in the city called OKO ERIN meaning Elephant Forest. This was where the popular elephant hunter, Laderin used to stay in his hunting adventure. Even the name Laderin was elephantine coinage (a panegyric coined from elephant) to refer to his personage.�Alugbin�was Laderin's�son who begat�Pasin�and�Afonja�was Pasin's son.

Studying the genealogy meticulously one would find out that Afonja was a fourth generation in the lineage from whom Ilorin historically became relevant in the Yoruba History.

Afonja became a warrior like his father, Pasin. Pasin met his untimely death following the row between him and the then Alaafin who insisted that Pasin should return to Oyo having committed political crime against the authority of the empire. Therefore, Bashorun Gaa (Oyo Interior Minister) was ordered to arrest him dead or alive. Although Pasin was a brave man, he was mowed down by the army of Oyo militants.

Afonja later became one of the most formidable warlords of Oyo Empire through ambition or determination. With this drive, he extended the glory of the entire empire that spread across four West African countries today; Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana. Afonja ultimately grew stronger even than the authority of the emperor. He afterward decided to create his own kingdom in his Ilorin home where he would be overseeing the affairs of the empire. This was probably around late 18th�century. With seemingly uncontrollable obsession, political conspiracy ensued. This was practically, the beginning of the flaws of the hero that led to fall of Ilorin to the hand of the slave warriors � Fulani warriors who were harboured by the great warrior, Afonja as ally in fighting or incapacitating the sanction or dominion of Alaafin.

Afonja was power-drunk and started scolding his warrior kinsmen in favour of his friend, Alfa Soliu Janta's jihadist army. Ironically, he never knew he was drawing his end through his political power infatuation. So he continued falling to the seductive bait plotted by his visitors who later not only ousted him from his home but also murdered him.

The great warlord was killed in a schemed riot in the city by the Fulani loyalists of Sheik Alimi's son, Abdulsalam who was also hypnotized by political power but under the guise of religious holy war. By this time, the General had grown aged but energetic and never thought of any internal coup that could ever bring an end to his throne. This was how it cropped up: the General eventually realized his past mistakes against his kinsmen while wrestling with the Alaafin and turned his gracious face to the Fulani warriors led by Alfa Soliu Janta aka Sheik Alimi. The Fulani had gained ground at the expense of the citizens. They were living a life of indulgence. Therefore, the General wanted to halt their indulgence by secretly sending war invitation to some Yoruba states like Ikoyi, Ogbomoso among others to invade Ilorin and disperse the Fulanis who had choked the people by their recklessness. Unfortunately, the opposition got hold of the secret and plotted against him secretly. The general was ambushed and killed. They killed their benefactor to protect themselves and promote their political ambition rather than religious propagation in the foreign land.

Therefore, Abdulsalam became the first Fulani ruler or Lord of Ilorin after Oba Afonja's demise. However, the Fulanis won the war against Afonja amidst Yoruba internal disintegrations. For instance Alaafin was in conspiracy against Afonja because he was a major threat to the authority of the empire under the control of Alaafin. So Alaafin used an enemy to fight an enemy.

Consequently, Ilorin became a colony of Sokoto Caliphate in the early 19th�century immediately after the death of the first lord of the city. However, what lost was political power not a pinch of Yoruba indigenous cultural power. The Yoruba government was overtaken by the Fulani radical jihadists as a result of Afonja's political flaws but the way of life of the Yorubas in the city remained the same like others e.g. language, tribal marks, music, beat, dress, greetings, dance except the traditional religions which were discarded for modern religion of Islamic monotheism.� Even the visitors who by nature have become naturalized (Yorubanized). Fulanis, Hausas, Nupes, Ibaribas, Kanuris and Malians are now Yorubas by the law of naturalization. This transpires anywhere contact is made. Imagine how German tribes of Vandal, Anglo and Saxon became English in United Kingdom today.

As in every mixed society, Yoruba of Ilorin as a language has blended with some flavours of allied origins like 'Fa` (morpheme) which was of Fulani extraction among others. This has given Ilorin a neo linguistics distinction from its original parent dialect; Oyo Dialect of Yoruba Language.

Thus, the issue of identity crisis in Ilorin is more historic than natural. The land is Yoruba as its aboriginal settlers were also Yorubas. Therefore, the majority of the people of the city are Yoruba descents who have submitted to Allah in the religion of Islam as preached by the prophet Mohammed (SAW). Cutting to the chase, Ilorin is a Yoruba state imprisoned by the Fulani oligarchic imperialism of Sokoto Caliphate or Gwandu Emirate. Therefore, Yorubas still maintain their cultural identities. Even, Islam as a religion is popularly propagated by the Yoruba stocks of the city e.g. Sheik Taju L-Adabby, Sheik Kamaldeen, Sheilk Adam Al-Ilori, Sheik� Folorunsho Faagba, Sheik Baba Oniwiridi of Ita Egaba, Sheik Sulyman Onikijipa, Sheik Buhari Omo Musa just to mention but a few.

In conclusion, Ilorin is Yoruba land naturally which harbours visitors like other Yoruba settlements as hosts who have become yorubanized by language and some other cultural ideology garnished by Islamic faith making it a land of distinction especially in Yoruba world in all area of endeavours relating to knowledge.�

Akeem Addio is a Socio-Cultural and Political Critic, from Ilorin.
- See more at: http://www.ilorin.info/fullnews.php?id=5071#sthash.e0jTu4rb.dpuf

Why boko haram will rot in hell by Abdulrazaq O Hamzat

The truth as told from the scriptures

*Myths about Islam explained

From Abdulrazaq O Hamzat

“whosoever from among the Muslims or the Jews or the Christians or the Sabaeans believes in Allah (God) and the Last Day, and performs good deeds, he will have his reward with his Lord and he will have no cause for fear and grief.” Q 2: 62
But whoever slays a soul, unless it be for murder or for mischief in the land, it is as though he slew entire mankind; and whoever keeps it alive, it is as though he kept entire mankind alive; (Quran 5:32).

The above verses from the holy Quran certainly put to shame, all terrorist groups claiming to be killing innocent people in the name of Islam. These verses also established the fact that, all those who attach these misguided sects to Islam are indeed themselves misguided.

In a plain text, the two verses above made it clear beyond any reasonable doubt that provided you are a Muslim, Christian, Jew or Sabaen, if you believe in God and the judgement day, perform good deeds, certainly, your reward is with God and there is no cause to fear or grief.

Terrorist groups are anti-Islam: And if you slay a soul, your punishment before Allah is as thou you slew the entire mankind. That is the ultimate position as far as Islam is concerned.

So, be it Alqaeda, boko haram or other terrorist organisations hiding under the banner of Islam to commit enormous atrocities, certainly, they cannot be doing it under the banner of jihad in Islam. They are against Islam.

For the records, the reason why jihad was permitted in Islam was so the Muslims could defend themselves against persecution and expulsion from their homes. It is not to oppress, kill, create mischief or coerce others.

Conditions for fighting in Islam: Allah says: “To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to fight back), because they are wronged and verily Allah is Most Powerful for their aid – (They are) those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right (for no cause) except that they say, ‘Our Lord is Allah’. Did Allah not check one set of people by means of another, there would surely have been pulled down monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, in which the name of Allah is commemorated in abundant measure. Allah will certainly aid those who aid his cause, for truly Allah is full of strength and might.” [Sûrah al-Hajj: 39-40]

Many of the earliest scholars mention that these were the first verses of the Qur’an that was revealed regarding jihad.

Thereafter the following verses were revealed: “Fight in the cause of Allah THOSE WHO FIGHT YOU, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loves not transgressors. And slay them wherever you catch them and drive them out FROM WHERE THEY DROVE YOU OUT, for oppression is worse than killing. But fight them not at the sacred mosque unless they fight you there. But if they fight you, slay them. Such is the reward of those who suppress faith. But if they cease, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression and there prevail justice and faith in Allah. But if they cease, let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression.” [Sûrah al-Baqarah: 190-193]

So, before Muslims fight, they must have been fought. And when they fight back, it must be against those who participated in fighting against them. The reason why they must fight back is simple, to defend themselves and prevent further attacks.

Islam abhors the killing of women and children: Had the purpose of jihad been to force the unbelievers to accept Islam, the Quran would never have commanded the Muslims to refrain from hostilities if the enemy relented. It would not have prohibited the killing of women and children. However, this is exactly the position of Islam.

During a battle, the Prophet (peace be upon him) saw people gathered together. He dispatched a man to find out why they were gathered. The man returned and said: “They are gathered around one slain woman.”

Allah’s messenger (peace be upon him) said: “She should not have been attacked!” Khâlid b. al-Walîd was leading the forces, so he dispatched a man to him saying: “‘Tell Khâlid not to kill women or labourers”. [Sunan Abî Dâwûd]

Therefore, even in the heat of battle against a hostile enemy, the only people who may be attacked are those who are actually
participating in the fighting not innocent people.

Punishment in Islam for terrorists: Terrorism have no hidden place in Islam, their activities was clearly captured in the Qur’an and so is their punishment.

The almighty Allah clearly describe the nature and punishment of terrorists in the Qur’an as thus: Q2 [84-86] Remember also that We made another solemn covenant with you: you shall not shed blood among yourselves nor expel one another from your homes. And you confirmed it and you are a witness to it. But inspite of this, you are killing your brethren and driving them out from their homes and making unjust and aggressive alliances against one another. And when they come to you as captives, you trade on their ransoms whereas their expulsion itself was unlawful for you. Do you then believe in one part of the Scriptures and disbelieve in the other?

92 What other punishment do such people from among you deserve except an ignominious life in this world and the most grievous doom on the Day of Resurrection? Allah is not unaware of what you are doing.

These are the people who have preferred the worldly life to the life in the Hereafter. Therefore their torment shall not be lightened nor shall help be given to them (from any quarter).

What the above verse is saying is simple, those terrorists who claim to be following the sacred book of Islam are not, but are merely hiding under it to carryout their hidden agenda. They kill innocent people, expel people from their homes and take ransom when they capture some. For this reason, the punishment all terrorists deserve is an ignominious life in this world and most grievous doom on the day of resurrection.

The Qur’an didn’t stop, it tries to guide the lost terrorists to the right path: Q2 [41-46] How is it that you enjoin others to follow the Right Way, but forget it yourselves, though you read the Scriptures? Have you no sense at all? Seek help with the Salat and fortitude:

60 no doubt, Salat is a hard task but not for those obedient servants, who realise that ultimately they shall meet their Lord and shall return to Him.

Pretenders who pose as believers in Islam: Allah is aware that there are people who will claim to believe in God and be fighting for Islam, but they are liars who are not only tarnishing the image of Islam, but are also killing innocent souls.

Hear the Quran speak about them: Q2 [8-16] Then there are some who say, “We believe in Allah and the Last Day”, whereas they do not believe at all. They thus try to deceive Allah and the Believers, but they succeed in deceiving none except themselves and they realise it not.11 In their hearts is a disease which Allah has increased all the more12 and a painful doom is in store for them for the lie they utter. Whenever it is said to them, “Spread not disorder on the earth”, their reply is, “We only seek to put things aright”. Beware! they do spread disorder but they realise it not. And when it is said to them, “Believe sincerely as the other people have believed”, 13 they reply, “Should we believe as fools have believed?” 14 Beware! they themselves are the fools, but they know it not. When they meet those who believe, they say, “We, too, are believers”, but when they privily meet their evil geniuses, 15 they say, “Indeed we are with you: we are only mocking at these people”. (Little do they realize that) Allah is mocking at them. He gives them rope enough, and they wander on and on blindly in their mischief and rebellion. These are the people who have bartered away guidance for error, but this is a profitless bargain that they have made, and they are not at all on the right way.

Q2 [204-210] There is a certain type of man who charms you in this worldly life with his glib talk. He calls Allah to witness again and again that he cherishes good intentions in his heart, 223 whereas, infact, he is the deadliest opponent 224 of the Truth. When he gets power225 he directs all his efforts towards spreading mischief in the land, destroying harvests and killing the human race whereas Allah (Whom he makes his witness) does not like mischief. And when it is said to him, “Fear Allah,” vanity seizes him and makes him adhere to the sin. Hell is the proper place for such a person and it is a very bad dwelling indeed.

The above verses clearly captures the delusional state of mind of terrorists, terrorism can never be for Islam.

When the Prophet protected Christians: In 628 AD, a delegation from St. Catherine’s Monastery came to Prophet Muhammed (SAW) and requested his protection. He responded by granting them a charter of rights which is translated below: “This is a message from Muhammad ibn Abdullahi, as a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, near and far, we are with them.

Christians are my citizen: Verily I, the servants, the helpers, and my followers defend them, because Christians are my citizens; and by Allah! I hold out against anything that displeases them.

No compulsion is to be on them. Neither are their judges to be removed from their jobs nor their monks from their monasteries. No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to damage it, or to carry anything from it to the Muslims’ houses.

Should anyone take any of these, he would spoil God’s covenant and disobey His Prophet. Verily, they are my allies and have my secure charter against all that they hate.

No one is to force them to travel or to oblige them to fight. The Muslims are to fight for them. If a female Christian is married to a Muslim, it is not to take place without her approval. She is not to be prevented from visiting her church to pray. Their churches are to be respected. They are neither to be prevented from repairing them nor the sacredness of their covenants.

No one of the nation (Muslims) is to disobey the covenant till the Last Day (end of the world)… not just the truth for the people living during the time of the prophet, but will continue to be true until the day of Judgment.

Peace is the rule in Islam: From the above submission, it is obvious that, peace in Islam is the ‘rule’, while war is the ‘exception’. This is borne out by all the teachings of Islam and the practical life of the Prophet of Islam.

One of the attributes of God described in the Qur’an is ‘As-Salam’, which means peace and security.’ That is to say that God’s being itself is a manifestation of peace. Indeed, God is Peace (Al-Bukhari). In the Qur’an, divine guidance is likened to the paths of peace. (5:16) The Quran, avers that, ‘reconciliation is best’ (4:128), and judging by the consequences, the way of peace is far better than that of confrontation.

Whenever the Prophet had an option between two courses of action, he always chose the easier (non-confrontational) one. (Bukhari)

This means that, violent activism should not be indulged in if peaceful activism is an option. For, peace is the easier course as compared to violence.

For instance, trying to change the status quo in the very first stage of a movement is a hard option, while launching one’s activities in the available sphere without doing so is an easier option. Going to war in confrontational situations is a hard option while following a conciliatory course in dealing with one’s rival is easier. Countering aggression with aggression is a hard option, while countering aggression with patience and forbearance is an easier option. An agitational course of action is harder than employing quiet strategy.

Adopting a radical method of reformation is harder than that of following a gradual method. Taking emotional, extreme steps without a thought for their consequences creates difficulties. While a well-considered method, keeping an eye on the consequences, gives much better results. The policy of confrontation with a ruler is a harder option, while initiating one’s action; by sidestepping the ruler in the sphere of education and learning is an easier option. These instances show us the easier and harder options, as demonstrated by the Hadith. The mission of Islam is based on monotheism, its goal being to make people realise the existence of the one and only God and to strive to bring about a revolution in their hearts and minds of individuals in order that they may love God as is His due. And the greatest concern of man should be to fear and worship his Creator (2:165).

Islam thrives in a peaceful environment: Such a mission cannot afford wars and violent confrontations. When a state of war and violence prevails, the normal atmosphere is vitiated and such circumstances as would foster intellectual movements and spiritual reformation cannot be effectively created. It cannot be denied that peaceful circumstances produce a propitious environment for Islam, while violent circumstances inevitably result in antagonism towards Islam.

Only established governments can declare war in Islam: For any reason, if war must be fought in Islam, war is not the
prerogative of the individual but of an established government. Only an established government can declare war. In other words, individuals can pray on their own, but they cannot wage wars of their own accord.

Only when a war is declared by the ruling government, can the public join in and support it, and not before that. Islam does not sanction individual actions on this issue. Therefore, no non governmental organization or terrorist group or what ever association can declare a jihad.

As a general principle, the Quran tells us that, even where an external attack is feared, the common man should not act independently, but should take the matter to the ruler, and then under his guidance take proper counter measures. (4:83).

The Hadith also states that ‘the ruler is a shield, fighting is done under him, and security is attained through him.’

This clearly shows that the decision to do battle and its planning are the tasks of an established government. The common man can play his role as need be under government orders, and not independently.

This Islamic principle shows that there is no room for non-state warfare, which is what we generally call guerilla war. A guerilla war is fought by individual organisations, not by the State. As far as the state is concerned, if it wants to wage a defensive war against any country it has first—in obedience to the Quran—to issue a proper declaration. Only then can it wage a lawful war (8:58). In Islam, there is only ‘declared’ war. Therefore, in accordance with this principle, no proxy war in Islam can be lawful.

Islam’s prescription for terrorist groups: On this note as it has been established, any individual who engage in terrorism, killing defenceless civilians, destroying goods and properties is certainly destined for hell fire. There is no other way.

As the Quran said, who so ever slay a soul, unless it be for murder or for mischief in the land, it is as though he slew entire mankind; and whoever keeps it alive, it is as though he kept entire mankind alive;

(Quran 5:32). Therefore, if who soever slay a soul get the punishment of slaying the entire mankind as established by the Qur’an, certainly, those who slew countless souls like the boko haram are destined to rot in hell and suffer more grave consequences before Allah on the day of resurrection.

Abdulrazaq O Hamzat writes from Abuja and can be reached on discus4now@yahoo.com
http://www.gongnews.net/why-boko-haram-will-rot-in-hell/

how come this thread didn't reach the front page?

lol

Posted by: THEWILL_ Posted date: July 26, 2014 In: Opinion
OPINION: AGENDA FOR YOUTHS IN 2015 (FOR PURPOSEFUL YOUTHS ONLY)

Some time in september 2012, Proscovia Alengot Oromait , a 19 year old girl from eastern uganda was elected as a representative in the Ugandan parliament.

Though she was young,inexperience and only had a school certificate, but one thing is certain about her, she is responsible and ready to take her destiny in her own hands.

In Uganda, around 50% of the population is below the age of 15.

Oromait insists in an interview that despite her age, she is up to the task and voters in her district believe in her.

‘’It’s not age that works, it’s the brain and the knowledge that one has to fight for the constituency’’. I believe I can fight for the people in my constituency, and the sole reason as to why they voted for me is because they knew I’m capable of doing what they want. She said.

At first, when other candidates are underrating her, she was busy concentrating on her campaign. When they later realized how strong she could be despite her young age, other candidates begin to use her inexperience and young age against her in their campaigns. But you know what, she didn’t mind her critics, she was busy speaking directly to the concerned people and they understood her language as she does theirs. Its mutual understanding.

At the end of the election, the votes of the old men and women didn’t count much. The voice of the godfathers were also silent. The 19 year old girl not only won the election convincingly, but the voices and votes of the back born of every nation (youths) were the one’s that made the difference.

This is why I have always said, if the youths are ready to take the lead and act responsibly, there is nothing stopping them.

While I understand that Uganda is not Nigeria, I believe youths are across the world are making giant stride in all strata of life and Nigeria shouldn’t be an exception.

Like I noted In a previous publication, It is very crucial at this stage of our existence to get many things right in government, and one of those crucial aspect of governance that must be gotten right is the aspect of youth inclusion in government at all levels.

Youth inclusion in government became imperative, as it is inevitable for any nation to prosper without its youths taking key decisions and making significance contribution in its government. However, youths must be responsible and demonstrate competence to be entrusted with leadership.

Youths are said to be the backbone of every nation, but what happens when the said backbone of this nation are relegated, neglected, under nourished and denied of its rightful roles and duties and in shaping the society for its needs?

Therefore, all well meaning Nigerians must drum it into the hears of the old leaders that Government and politics is not about the gathering of orators or wishful thinkers that seek to impose their will on others, but a gathering of the affected people to fashion out a common means of solving our common problems.

For this reason, I refused to be swayed by those that continue to belittle the role of the youths in shaping the present and future of Nigeria.

It is a common knowledge that in the decision making process of Nigeria, there is no consideration for the youths what so ever. This explains reason why the same leaders who had governed the country in the past continue to parade and recycle themselves in government. But if they couldn’t solve the problems of the country when they were young,strong and sharp, how can they solve it now when they are dull,slow and dull? The youths must take its destiny in its own hands.

While still on the matter, I stumble upon an article titled ‘’ Reclaiming Nigeria in 2015: Can the youths do it alone?

The article played down the capacity of the youths to effect change, citing examples of some youths that had served in government like the former speaker of the house, Dimeji Bankole whom the writer described as worse than the elders in government.

He also laid emphasis on the economic incapacity of the youths to the actualization of a youth led government.

My question to the writer is this, who are these youths that have served in government and how did they emerge?

Did they walked their way to the position by competence or they made it as a gift from their parents?

Do they have what it takes to represent the youths or they gained it by being close and loyal to a godfather and were given such leadership role as a favor to extend the interest of the godfathers?

If these questions may be answered truthfully, it shall be in the negative.

The truth is that, competent, upright and intelligent youths were never given a chance, those given were people who do the dirty jobs for their godfathers or those who were given as a repayment of debt owed to their parents.

I mean, those youths that find their way in top government positions are the yes sir boys that are clearly incapable and not worthy.

From my observation, doors of leadership is usually shut on youths that are worthy and ready, this is so because politicians see them as threat to their continuous domination. Politicians see competent youths as obstacles that may likely bring their reign to an end.

To continue justifying the incapability of youths, they use the incompetent youths, though aware of their incapacity, but still selected them to blackmail the rest of the visionary youths. Instead of blaming themselves for intentionally choosing the wrong youths for their selfish interest, they resort to blackmailing the rest of the youths claiming they are not better or ready for leadership.

Let me re-state that, i am not a believer in questioning why youths are not given leadership positions, but I am a strong advocate that enjoys youth to take leadership responsibilities.

In my view, only lazy youths look up to someone to give them leadership. Real youths with distinct character and leadership zeal for ‘excellence don’t ask for any chance, they create it, they don’t ask for leadership, they walk their` way to it truthfully and intelligently.

Furthermore, there is no doubt that it is the duty of the elders to prepare youths for leadership responsibilities, but this is not happening in Nigeria.The leaders of yesterday remain leaders of today and with the look of things if not checked, they shall remain the leaders of tomorrow.

The youths must therefore look beyond this set of leaders for leadership opportunities; else, they may have to wait till eternity.

Another major trick employed by the elderly politicians to deny youths of their rightly duty and role in government is when they say the youths of Nigeria are not ready or are incompetent. I laugh at such comments because I know for sure that, the youths of any nation cannot be said to be incompetent or incapable, except that the elders and leaders of such nation are failed people. So, if our elders have failed already, even though the youths are said to be incapable, they are still better than the failed elders.

A youth shouldn’t be more than 40years, he has only existed for a short period of time. He or she could also be said to be a new creature with virgin reasoning, fresh thinking and new ideas. These youthful qualities are what is needed to make a progressive society, but unfortunately, all these qualities are missing in our government,the absence of which is denying Nigeria the impact of the youthfulness required to meet up with pace of 21st century governance.

While I was discussing with an elderly man on my way to Abuja about the state of the nation and the need for youth involvement, the man simply said, I don’t think it is right for any youth to lead this time. When I asked why why, he maintained that, of what benefit is someone who had just existed for a short period of time to the government, when we have people with vast experience handling the affairs of the state?

To answer this question as short as I can, I said to him, youths are capable of seeing the error that is holding the nation down in the old practices. Errors preventing the nation from moving forward,but couldn’t be seen by the older people. The youth would note and attach value to what the older people will ignore knowingly or unknowingly, something that may turn out to be a key to solving the challenges facing the nation.

Statistically, youths are above 55% voting population in the Nigerian and they are the 0nly one’s that understand their own needs and aspirations. They understand the challenges of the modern day youths which are beyond the scope of the elderly people to be able to proffer any meaningful and impactful solution. Let me point out that, seeing the error in the old practices is not with the aim of discrediting the older generation or practices, but to strengthen the work of older generation and improve the system for the betterment of the society.

As it seems today, problems facing the Nigeria are not major problems as such, but some minor problems that were ignored for too long and eventually became a bigger challenge.

Therefore, giving youth’s leadership opportunities will amount to providing solutions to the challenges facing the majority of the country. Identifying the minor challenges on time and proffering the solution which can be better initiated and implemented by the youths

Also, youths have the capacity of seeing new things, new possibilities, new opportunities and new path to be explored. They would see the new hope, new dreams, new future as well as bring in a new believe to end all anomaly.

In view of this, let me make some recommendations for youth and youth organizations in Nigeria ahead of the 2015 general election.

Since youths are the largest voting population, every youth must demand that at least, 35% of those who govern both federal, state and local government are youths not more than 35 years of age.
Before any youth group support any political party or candidate, there must be an agreement signed in this regard.
Any party or individual who fail to comply shall be declare an enemy of youth growth and development of the state
Every youth irrespective of party must be committed to this agenda in their respective parties.

When youths blindly support politicians and their political parties without committing themselves to protecting the nation through seeking active youth participation in the decision making process, the nation becomes vulnerable with no future in sight.

Written by Abdulrazaq O Hamzat.
discus4now@yahoo.com