Jan.15: Where we came from by Reuben Abati

Nigerian Army

January 15 every year is Nigeria's Armed Forces Remembrance Day: wreaths are laid, statements are made, soldiers, government officials and the Nigerian Legion attend parades, pigeons symbolizing peace are released, a dinner is organized for widows of fallen soldiers and there is so much talk about death and dying for one's country all in honour of Nigerian soldiers who have had to die so that Nigeria may live. In terms of context however, what is also celebrated is the surrender of the secessionist Biafran forces to the Nigerian government on January 15, 1970, a throw back to the country's three years of civil war.

      This is downplayed just as government similarly conveniently ignores the fact that January 15 is also the date of the first coup d'etat in our country.  It is 50 years today since that incident.  And it is most unlikely that the Federal Government will devote much attention to that particular aspect of our history. But even if they don't, the families of those who fell to the bullet on January 15, 1966 will certainly remember.  It is a day that should be specially remembered by all Nigerians and students of history because that was when things finally fell apart and the rains began to beat our roofs. On this day in 1966, four Igbo military officers and one Yoruba, five Majors in all, led by 29-year old Major Kaduna Nzeogwu struck in Kaduna, Lagos, and Ibadan, as they sought to take over Nigeria by revolutionary means in a bloody coup d'etat.

Biafra, O’odua, and the 7th lesson, by Reuben Abati

Democracy does not necessarily translate into the disappearance of crises and dilemmas, (even trilemmas, quadrilemmas or more) in a country, either developed, developing or perhaps evolutionary. Built into the fabric of the right to choose is also the right to make mistakes and so, across Africa at this moment, in Nigeria, Tanzania, Cote d’Ivoire, Burundi, Guinea Conakry, Rwanda, the lessons are being driven home, as elections are being held or have been held or will be held, that even as democracy spreads within the continent, the tension between stabilization and consolidation, trade offs and efficiency, pessimism and optimism, ethnocentrism and nationalism, remains a major concern.      Whatever the challenges may be however, both local and international authorities have a duty to ensure that the people learn from their mistakes, build on those mistakes positively, and prevent a relapse to either militarism or militarized democracy disguised either as benevolent democracy or charismatic autocracy, or ethnic revanchism as an option for national movement.  The people’s right to make mistakes, oxymoronic as it may seem, is part of the democratic challenge. In Nigeria, our biggest mistake lies in the strange assumption that our problems will disappear simply through intra-elite displacement or the symbolism of grand gestures.  And so, we end up with a boringly repetitive national life cycle.

Brigadier-General Adekunle "Black Scorpion" is dead, President Jonathan commiserates with family

ADEKUNLE WILL ALWAYS BE REMEBERED AS ONE OF THE MOST CELEBRATED MILITARY COMMANDERS OF HIS GENERATION – PRESIDENT JONATHAN

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan extends sincere commiserating to the family of  late Brigadier-General Benjamin Adekunle who passed away earlier today.

The President joins them and other Nigerians in mourning the very courageous soldier who achieved national fame during the Nigerian civil war for his gallant leadership of the 3rd Marine Commandoes in the successful effort to defend the unity and territorial integrity of the country.

President Jonathan believes that General Adekunle's civil war heroics, which made him easily one of the most celebrated military commanders of his generation, have ensured that he will always be honoured and remembered as a valiant soldier who served his fatherland exceptionally well at a very trying time in its history.

As the Black Scorpion's soul returns to the Almighty Creator, President Jonathan enjoins his family, friends, former military colleagues and all who mourn his passing to also give thanks to God for blessing the nation with fearless soldiers and patriots of his calibre who stand ready to lay down their lives for the peace, unity and progress of their country.

President Jonathan prays that God Almighty will  comfort the grieving family and associates of General Adekunle and grant his departed soul eternal rest.

REUBEN ABATI
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
September 13, 2014.

Igbo leaders condemn attack on Enugu broadcasting house

ENUGU—IGBO leaders, yesterday, condemned last week’s attack on broadcasting houses in Enugu by some Igbo youths, who wanted to announce a new republic.

“The infantile act of seizing a broadcasting house in order to announce a new Republic is not the proper way to express anger and frustration with Nigeria,” the leaders on the banner of Igbo Leaders of Thought, ILT, said.

In a statement by their Deputy Secretary, Evangelist Elliot Uko, the leaders warned the youths: “Don’t over heat the polity,” saying that “such actions, if anything, only result to over-heating the polity, which is the last thing any well meaning Nigerian would pray for at this time.”

They continued: “We appeal to all those who feel aggrieved over the Nigerian condition to channel their grievances through proper and legal routes which include the ongoing National Conference. Actions that are capable of leading to breakdown of law and order must be discouraged as it not only paints us in bad light but will also not solve the problems at hand.