I have read with utter disdain and shock the statements credited to some political sycophants that the arrow head of #BringBackOurGirlsGroup Mrs Oby Ezekwezili was referred to as ‘jobless’, this act is most irresponsible and uncharitable.
It is also unfortunate to see that this same group which is mainly women, who have only gathered peacefully to publicly echo the return of the abducted school girls were heckled and physically abused in Abuja. To be candid, no serious government anywhere in the world can be seen to tolerate such level of barbarism and recklessness in full public glare.
Once again and in clear terms, it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that the girls abducted from Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, are brought back safely to their parents, not only that this PDP led government must also be dutifully engaged and make sure Nigeria is safe for Nigerians and foreign investors. Whatever happens to one of us happens to everyone of us. If we have become a nation that does not put value on human lives, then we are really in a bad place. As a caring mother myself, listening to these women and seeing what they have to carry alone, you almost feel a sense of abandonment for them. It is almost like they are invisible to the rest of us and that pains me and other caring parents in the world.
We must get ourselves back to a drawing table and figure out who we really are? What are we? And what we have become as a people and as a nation? Our current security challenges are clearly the resultant effects of the breakdown or abandonment of our cherished cultural values of honesty, excellent parenting, hard work, respect for elders and constituted authority, as well as respect for the sanctity of human life. There is therefore the urgent need for deliberate cultural re-engineering that places high premium on our cherished cultural values. Our traditional and religious institutions have critical roles to play in this regard.
However, this government must stop the blackmail, redouble its efforts and show unflinching commitment to bring back over 200 abducted school girls alive, and Nigeria must also be rid of terrorism, this is achievable once there is will, sincerity of purpose, capacity and responsible government across board.
Bolanle Kuku (MRS),
APC Aspirant, Ogun East Senatorial District.
