₦airaland Forum

Ahmed Joda on the North
A recent lengthy submission from the elder statesman, Ahmed Joda, rested on a telling conclusion: Northern Nigeria is not developing its human capital. It also does not have the time to do so anymore. Therefore, it is now ill-equipped to fit into either the knowledge-driven world of today or the new world of tomorrow. It needs at least 20 years to become significant in any way. But, rather than wake up to this benumbing fact, there is the pursuit of the illusion of dominance. Meanwhile the people of the region lack the skills for tomorrow, as majority of its youth lack everything that could make them part of a 21st century world. The major point in Joda’s intervention is that the triumphalism of cattle rearers whose illusion of invulnerability is fuelled and sustained by a national security framework that is skewed to promote insecurity in specific regions of the country will go burst sooner than later. Confiscation of the headship of institutions of state is not the same thing as creating a “replacement generation” that could be part of a 21st Century world.
Since most of the northern states have abandoned, ungoverned and even ungovernable spaces, its currently consumption-driven elite is really in no position to do anything, beyond maintaining a hollow swagger that is backed by nothing but the fact that they are living mostly in Abuja and floating on free state funds. Look more closely and you will be reminded of what was said of the House of Eli in the Bible: “Any ear that hears” the judgment of The Lord on that household will tingle.
I take us back to an article which appeared on this page on April 17, 2019, titled “As the North Goes Under.” It spoke of a visit to Zamfara State in 2014, which was “at once frightening, sobering and demoralising.” The then “Secretary to the State Government explained how he abandoned his farm and ranch because of cattle rustling and fear for his personal safety.” He confessed that “it was impossible to deploy law enforcement agents, even for himself, in any meaningful way” because they were mostly outnumbered, ill equipped and answerable to Abuja. Have matters improved in Zamfara State today, or gotten worse, in almost every state of the federation?
Just as the then Zamfara State governor complained that “the misfortunes” of his people centred around “derivation, as a lot of gold was mined in the state and carted away while his people were ravaged by poverty,” many other states are not faring any better. Look at Bauchi State, with its new MoU on service delivery with development partners. Is that what the state needs at the moment; with its pathetic human development index profile? Is it any different in Jigawa, Kebbi, Sokoto, Kano, Katsina, Edo, Rivers and the others? Even Northern states with over 30% of their geographical space occupied by marauders have been drafting and implementing budgets and development projects covering these areas, where no one lives.
Elite myopia, leadership illiteracy and abysmal ignorance of both 21st Century leadership and cultural anthropology of the Nigerian state are working together here. Most of Nigeria’s poor are northerners, even as most high profile political and economically rewarding positions are held by Northerners. While the South laments the asphyxiation of the Nigerian security infrastructure by its exclusive Northern domination, the very north is being systematically wiped out. Unlike what happened during the mass massacre of Igbos in the 60s, no religion, ethnic, or political affiliation exonerates anyone today. For once, the North is actually giving the greatest evidence ever in its history of both political illiteracy and failure to follow the rules of self-preservation.
The former leather works sites of many Northern states, clothes factories and groundnut pyramids of Kano and Kaduna, are now like graveyards. Question: Are leaders of the North, and our leaders of various regions today generally, doing any form of costs/benefits analysis in their expenditures and use of public funds? I think not. No matter how generous you would like to be in evaluating the situation of the North today, you must come away with the painful conclusion that all might not be well with the people for a long time to come. The trouble is that the collateral damage moving from the North to other regions is now like a sickness unto death, thanks to Bola Ahmed Tinubu. To think that many political leaders who were celebrating their political dominance a few years ago shall henceforth live in full knowledge of what the Mighty Maytones, the reggae singers of the 70s, meant by “weeping and wailing and moaning and gnashing of teeth.”
There is hardly any recent event (and I am talking about the last 15 years) in the home, or village, of most Northern politicians where the guests are not usually overwhelmed by at least 100 shabby looking youths, who are either prowling the vicinity, directly affronting guests, or raiding laid out tables. They are looking for nothing other than scraps of edibles and, not even a full meal. And the big men themselves are usually not embarrassed by the spectacle. And, by the way, Governor Ikpeazu of Abia State took his place in the pantheon of depraved leadership when he personally handed out wraps of Eba and a helping of poor quality soup as COVID-19 palliative to his people. In M.I. Okpara’s State; which was also once governed by Dee Sam Mbakwe? Ejikwa m Ogu o!
The dreadful disconnect between the 21st century and the Nigerian political religious, traditional and even academic elite is palpable. Has lasting school enrollment or academic performance improved in the North, in the last ten years, even as all the governors are announcing massive “investments” in education? Has the region shown any real increase in the number of people registering for SSCE, NECO and similar competitive examinations? If no, then an inevitable implosion will yet come. The current leadership culture of impunity portends ill. As “their people” come from Chad and Niger, their own youths are begging in the streets; or in the forests. Everywhere is turning into a no-man’s-land, where even revered traditional rulers and religious leaders are no longer safe. A backlash will come when the Sudanese, Chadians and North Africans will suddenly not be so welcome; especially after the Northerners discover that they are displaced in their very homes.
When foreigners are the ones with Nigerian ID cards in the North, when foreigners are voters in the North, when the total number of registered candidates for all competitive examinations from the 19 states of the north continues to stand much lower than that of one particular state in the South, when even the cattle business is now in the hands of roaming bands who have no conception of a brotherhood, the modern state, you will realize what the Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard, meant by his two books, “Fear and Trembling” and “The Sickness Unto Death.” By then it would already be too late.
As I said then, over a year ago, “…relentless, daily killings are going on in all the northern states, while everyone thinks that power resides in the north. … The northern political elite would seem to have been diligently digging its own grave for quite some time now, but without knowing it. They have allowed a new breed of wild youths, not sufficiently socialised even in line with the ‘Ranka dede’ culture to … to become dominant.

Drugs, poverty, motiveless criminality and rapacious daredevilry have chased all the northern big men to Abuja. But for how long will they be in exile? Is Abuja itself still safe? Are some high profile estates and exclusive neighbourhoods in Abuja not being quietly attacked these days?”
As property rates crash in the North, as investors flee, as local economies collapse, as re-desertification takes over many places, as farmlands and animal husbandry are abandoned, as the proceeds of crime become the new means for the unlettered, the threat to the children of the elite will multiply. The peace of mind of those who had the chance to make a difference but failed to do so will evaporate. The free-band society of cattle herders will collapse before their very eyes, as much of the North is taken over by “degenerate marauders who know nothing about modern statehood, law and order etc.” Is anyone thinking of what to expect in the “very near future”?
But the pretense persists, that “The North” is on course. The CAMA 2020, the Water Resources Bill, the suffocation of institutions of stage by lopsided appointments will deliver nothing lasting. To still conclude on the note of the said article of last year: “A region that has the highest allocation from oil revenue, the highest earnings from tax mostly paid by other regions, the highest earning from bunkering and the highest earnings from the illegal mining of gold and other natural resources, is ravaged by poverty, underdevelopment and a burgeoning population of unemployable youths. Is this right? Is this normal? Is anyone paying attention – as the North goes under?

Hardfacts234:
We Igbos also have Yoruba ,Benin and itshekiri slaves among us.

We also have Benin and Yoruba related names in our Igboland

You are getting it wrong.

Bearing Yoruba and Benin names in Iboland means you were once their slaves but emancipated later, and not the other way round.

Pure publicity stunt.

Igbos are Yorubas' wives anyday anytime.

They can't do without us, they are just too shy to say it out

GuyWise101:
Nna mehnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

Yorubas are never serious about this fake wanting of their own country.

Just making noise because of 2023.

Biafrans are those doing the doings.

What are biafrans doing, except killing each others and making noise.

The Yorubas are executing their own separatist agenda systematically, and you will be surprised how far they will go in a short time.

And if it requires war, so be it.

SEGLIZ:
not in the manner at which the man is going about it. attacking them like it is their sole responsibility of which they chose not attend to.

another thing is it might affect their carrier negatively. those girls chose the mission because of you and I not the government.

though the government might be financing their outing but they are doing this to put smiles on our gloomy faces not because it is convenient for them.

all they are doing is how do we make this people smile even in these whole hardship and challenges.

if the man is real let him come home and lead the fight. Super Falcons ain't representing bubu but we the people.

Super Falcon ain't representing me, and millions others like me.

They are representing themselves and their personal careers.

festacman:
The fact is that Sunday Igboho grew too confident and comfortable in his struggle. He ought to have applied siege mentality and sense of eternal vigilance.

Unlike Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who dropped his guard carelessly by 'sauntering' into Kenya of all places like a tourist, Sunday Igboho had no guard from day one. He attended rallies like a boss. It might have been a DSS strategy to entrap him. I mean, how do you pursue secession cause and criticize government of the day heavily without safe-keeping all your key travelling documents somewhere in Lagos or a border town? Why still live openly in your house like a monarch in Ibadan with retinue of aides instead of being 'nowhere and everywhere'? Why keep incriminating things that could be used against you where you live?

We keep learning.

You succinctly captured the unpreparedness and lackadaisical attitudes of the two secessionist leaders to their own personal security.

They were operating as if they had no enemies planning for their downfall. It is painful to see how easily they fall into traps the enemies laid for them.

That's a big lesson to many of us having the same national separationist agenda to tread carefully. Don't let us deceive ourselves, we are already at war with the fulani oligarchy oppressors and their state sponsored minions of all tribes. We should therefore employed all war strategies (including propaganda) to achieve our aims.

#freekanu/Igboho
#freebiafra/oodua

NwaOhafia:
And who told you that the 40year the Israelites spent in the wilderness was all on the right path that couldn't take more than 40days?

Go and understand the bible, the bible is not a story book

Okay sir, my Preacher and Theologian.

NwaOhafia:

Mali is gradually becoming like the old Sudan, but the different is that Sudan was curse by God because they refuse the Israelites from passing through their land.

Where did you get your own Bible analogy?

Sudan, which under Egypt in Africa, refusing the Israelites from passing through their land to the Palestine (or Canaanland), which is in the Middle East, above Egypt? These are two different geographical directions.

Oga, go and dust your Bible and start reading from Genesis to Deuteronomy again.

Authoreety:
Make I tanda for this corner dey read comments

Take it to the bank before it finally disappears o

So if it finally disappear from the bank, how will the Cash Officer explain that to his boss?

[quote author= post=103888260]Holiday quiz for children of hate frustration and perdition.
5000 recharge card for the first 10 wailing criminals, AKA Wailing zombies [/quote]Very soon when your paymaster shall go, we will see what other career you will take up, besides being the BMC's vocalist on Nairaland and Facebook.

Or maybe you will only disappear into the wasteland where you came from.

oluztx:
Afonjas are imposters sending him messages on ritual money. This generation of Yorubas actually think the only way to make money is through fraud and ritual. That's why when they see any rich Igbo man, they think in that direction.

The older generation the Akindeles, Eleganzes, Adenugas, Abiolas, actually worked very hard and reasoned more like Igbo people in terms of business success. But these new generation of Yorubas, even Yorubas will tell you are backward in everything: education, business, family, e.t.c.

As a kid in 1997, I read about Akindele, admired him.

We hear you, we are the most backward race in the world.

Tell that to Seun Osewa and Akinwunmi Adesina. They will understand that better, and maybe do something about it.

Nwaide01:
One love and that's how we roll. For non Igbo don't be jealous and don't envy us so that you can tap from the blessing for it's a God's gift to us.

Oga, let me take you down a peg or two to say that there is no special blessing to tap from the Igbos; except one want to tap the negative blessings of:
1. Their inordinate love of money, not minding the source of the money.
2. Their unwarranted chest beating over any small achievement.
3. Their irritating habit of looking down on, and insulting other tribes out of hatred and arrogance.
4. Their customer cheating strategy in business and trade, claiming that "all na business", thereby mortifying their conscience.
Etcetera.

Sirmuel1:
I just want to be filthy rich

Be filthy rich and go to hell,

Or,

Be moderately comfortable in Christ and go to Heaven.

Rethink your choice.

ohosi4real:
Money pass money. Oluwa bless me with money. I want to help people

Na lie.

You want money to flex and to trend.

You get the money, people go dey far from your mind.

Jonathan39:
Adeboye did what? Ogun state still have the worst road in Nigeria

Pastor Adeboye is from Osun State.

Why are women so wicked at heart?

When you witness the way most of them maltreat servants and other people's children, I sometimes wonder whether they have human feelings at all.

And when you go to Church or Mosque, you will see them acting the most virtuous.

Inflicting pain, and not feeling any remorse? She must be a witch.

jimmynauty:
Wasted vanity...dead burying the dead

Best comment so far.

lilvicky68:
OP you go try add my name..I wan donate 3 packets of straw..

No acceptable pls.

Take am open small shop for your house front.

Kingcalls:
Blacks are actually the problem of the world

And Muslim jihadists.

LegalWolf:
As I contemplated, my audience are those with functional brains and not idiots. If you don’t get the drift of my argument, certainly I know the class you fall within and I can’t help you.

Just for the record, if you’re polite in your request, I’ll be polite with you.

You are sounding more intelligent now. When you give direct insults you revert to good English.

The quote by you which I commented on was unintelligible. Check it. And please be informed, I was not making any request, but was only correcting your bad English; which is disreputable to you, being a regular ethnic warrior on Nairaland.

No offense taken.

Sebastine1994:
Stop all this comparing and solve the real problem holding the country back. The exchange rate will improve if the government improve.

The United States will keep fucking all countries until they become wise. Why should the USA dollar be the default currency of the world?

That is why smart countries like Russia are investing heavily in Bitcoin and etherium to hit America where it hurts. a lazy America worker earns more than a hard-working Nigerian because of poor exchange rate. but with Bitcoin everything will be equal.

it would be the end of the brain drain to America

Stop advertising bitcoin, its Chinese backbone has been dismantled, and is now falling like a pack of bad cards.

LegalWolf:
Who exactly said No, we won’t send our children to school? Who in the North said so?

You guys claim to be educated and they’re certain expectations, or let me certain responsibility, from being cultured. But no, you let hatred blind your thinking faculties.

You are making no sense.

Please get yourself educated to enable us get the drift of your argument.

Patrioticman007:
He saw nothing, it was actually 3 black player's that missed, but ask for refund of your money

That's what painful about the loss.

The blacks will face a backlash, subtly and openly.

England lost.

So bad.

Lost at home.

I am sad.

Penalty kicks.

Never predictable.I pray England wins.

Sonnobax15:
And who dem go substitute put if I may ask ?

Rashford.

Harry Kane is completely invisible in this mach. He should be removed?

blasterman:
If i am england coach i will remove Mount and bring in Grealish

Grealish or Sancho. Both are better than Mount.

I pray that England win, but it is going to be tough, tough.

Despite my support for England, I fear this final is going to Italy.

They are outplaying the English team in all departments of the match.

This will be a tragedy.

I knew the defensive strategy adopted for the second half by England will be their undoing.

You scored just a goal and you fell to your side against a tricky Italian team and you expect to win a final, how will that work with a 45 minutes of play?