Simon Kolawole Live!: Email: simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com
Who Shot the Sheriff?
Former Borno Governor Ali Modu Sheriff has often been fingered as the brain behind Boko Haram, and he has always denied. He has now come out smoking, claiming Senator Ahmed Khalifa Zanna and the Borno PDP are the brains behind the sect.
Former Borno Governor Ali Modu Sheriff has often been fingered as the brain behind Boko Haram, and he has always denied. He has now come out smoking, claiming Senator Ahmed Khalifa Zanna and the Borno PDP are the brains behind the sect.
A Boko Haram commander was reportedly arrested at Zanna’s house last week. With Senator Aliyu Ndume (Borno PDP) also on trial, I think we are getting to understand the Borno angle of the insurgency better now. But is it the same Boko Haram that is killing people in Kano, Kaduna, Abuja (UN House and THISDAY), Plateau and Niger? I don’t think so.
The Okada Ban
Nigerians are very enterprising. Over the years, with the failure of government to create employment opportunities, Nigerians created jobs for themselves. Nollywood, “pure water” and commercial bikes (Okada) employ millions today. Lagos State government’s decision to clamp down on Okada, based on safety concerns, is generating some heat. People die in plane crashes and road accidents and we have not banned flying and driving yet. Nevertheless, I think something has been lost in translation. Lagos did NOT ban Okada; it only restricted them to certain routes. That is fair enough, I think.
Nigerians are very enterprising. Over the years, with the failure of government to create employment opportunities, Nigerians created jobs for themselves. Nollywood, “pure water” and commercial bikes (Okada) employ millions today. Lagos State government’s decision to clamp down on Okada, based on safety concerns, is generating some heat. People die in plane crashes and road accidents and we have not banned flying and driving yet. Nevertheless, I think something has been lost in translation. Lagos did NOT ban Okada; it only restricted them to certain routes. That is fair enough, I think.
The Death Penalty
The death warrants recently signed by Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State have come under heavy criticism from Amnesty International. The two men were condemned for murder. While Oshiomhole pardoned other condemned men, he gave the go-ahead for the execution of the two men “for security reasons” based on a request from the prison authorities. I know most Western countries have abolished the death penalty. But those who oppose the penalty in Nigeria should fight for it to be removed from our statutes. Case-by-case advocacy will not solve any problem.
The death warrants recently signed by Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State have come under heavy criticism from Amnesty International. The two men were condemned for murder. While Oshiomhole pardoned other condemned men, he gave the go-ahead for the execution of the two men “for security reasons” based on a request from the prison authorities. I know most Western countries have abolished the death penalty. But those who oppose the penalty in Nigeria should fight for it to be removed from our statutes. Case-by-case advocacy will not solve any problem.
Ram Haram
Last Monday, I asked my driver if he had bought his Sallah ram. He said no. Ram is more expensive this year, he informed me. “An average ram is N50,000, depending on the size,” he explained. “Why is this so?” I asked. I knew the reason, but I pretended. He replied: “The sellers are blaming Boko Haram activities for the sharp rise in prices.” I had been explaining to him for a while that the whole of Nigeria, not just the North, would suffer the consequences of the Boko Haram insurgency. He eventually got a ram for N40,000 on Wednesday. You could feel the smile on his face. Anyway, Barka da Sallah to all my Muslim friends!
Last Monday, I asked my driver if he had bought his Sallah ram. He said no. Ram is more expensive this year, he informed me. “An average ram is N50,000, depending on the size,” he explained. “Why is this so?” I asked. I knew the reason, but I pretended. He replied: “The sellers are blaming Boko Haram activities for the sharp rise in prices.” I had been explaining to him for a while that the whole of Nigeria, not just the North, would suffer the consequences of the Boko Haram insurgency. He eventually got a ram for N40,000 on Wednesday. You could feel the smile on his face. Anyway, Barka da Sallah to all my Muslim friends!
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