Dangiwa Umar, others write on ‘Badeh, Boko Haram and our nation’

LATEST UPDATE: Dangiwa Umar, others write on ‘Badeh, Boko Haram and our nation’

Athought – provoking piece naturally provokes thought-provoking reac­tions. That has been my experience since last week, after the publication of the column, ‘BADEH, BOKO HARAM AND OUR NATION.’ From all over the nation, the reactions came pour­ing. Many supporting the views canvassed, a few others disagree­ing with me.

One of those who agreed with my posi­tion was the radical, former governor of Ka­duna State, Col. Abubakar Dangiwa Umar. A man not known to be frivolous with his comments on public issues, Col Umar said he agreed with my analysis of the situation and recommendations on the Boko Haram insurgency. His words: “A very good piece. I agree with your analysis of the situation and recommendations.”

Below, other reactions…

A fantastic piece

A fantastic piece. How I wish you could repeat this column in another two editions for more people to read. I doff my heart for you, sir!

…’Bimbo M. Jimoh, 0809-894-9479

Badeh not to blame

I have just finished reading your write-up in the Daily Sun newspaper of today November 17, 2014. I want to ask you a question: When the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, announced the ceasefire with Boko Haram, why didn’t the government denounce it immediately? Instead, many officials of government echoed the cease­fire. When it backfired, they denied there was a ceasefire. Why have they not fired the CDS if there was no ceasefire? …0805- 523-9326

I’m in tears

As I am reading your article, I am soaked in tears. Thank you for giving us hope.

…Cele, Abakaliki, 0818-641-9267

There is God

My brother, those of you who can speak should keep it up. Whether the power- that-be acts or not, God will act one day.

…Nyamkyume, Makurdi, 0811-534- 8506

Bold, honest piece

Sir, thanks for your bold and honest write-up. Men and/or material audit, as you canvassed, wouldn’t solve the problem, be­cause it isn’t angels that would preside over such audit. Foreign observers have put the failure of the fight against Boko Haram at the doorstep of corruption in the system. The only solution is a total regime change.

…Barrister Ngozi Ogbomor, Port Har­court, 0805-740-2009

You spoke our mind

Your back page on service chiefs refers. This is a good piece. You have spoken the mind of Nigerian masses. We wish you were our commander-in-chief.

…Ibeme, Awka, 0812-745-2957

The military can do better

There is more to this insurgency issue than meets the eye. Though the issue of Boko Haram preceded 2011, it donned political garb when Gen. Buhari promised Nigeria hell if he lost the presidential election; a rep­lica of what he has dished out to Nigerians against the 2015 election too. A closer look into the composition of the security outfits show it has a greater percentage of its leader­ship from the North. So, the possibility of a negative synergy between them and the state cannot be ruled out. Given the frequency of sabotage by soldiers, culminating in court-martials and convictions. If Boko Haram had been hitting the affluent members of our society, the military would have been up and doing.

…Lai Ashadelee, 0802-363-2992

You called a spade by its name

Your piece, ‘Badeh, Boko Haram and our nation’ really touched the marrows of my bones. Kudos for your courage in calling a spade by its name.

…Somnazu Francis, Asaba, 0802-620- 1736

The bitter truth

I thank you and praise your courage in speaking the truth and nothing but the bitter truth. God will bless you. Amen.

…Mafe A.J, 0802-315-9532

Is Mr. President reading?

Thank you, Mr. Eric, for this piece. I hope Mr. President reads this wonderful piece.

…Francis, Oguta, 0815-523-0459

We need new hands

The solution: If Lt-Gen Ihejirika had be­come Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, at the time Air Marshall Badeh came, we would have won the war by now. President Jona­than was manipulated by sympathisers of Boko Haram to appoint new service chiefs. We definitely need new hands and the Min­ister of Defence should go. Eric, I agree with you absolutely!

…Col. RN OputaA (rtd.) 0803-320- 6191

The government is intolerant

Dear Eric, thank you for your piece on ‘Badeh, Boko Haram and our nation.’ A lot of us feel the frustration you have expressed so eloquently. The problem is that we want to always compare ourselves with the USA. In America, when the president makes a wrong decision, his most ardent supporter is at lib­erty to criticise that decision, understanding that it is borne out of patriotism. Here, in Ni­geria, you may have the best of intentions, but once you criticise the president’s deci­sion, then you are the enemy, opposition and detractor! Can we really make any headway this way? Again, God bless you!

…Hope Egwu, 0808-710-2512

Nothing but the truth

Thanks for your write-up on ‘Badeh, Boko Haram and our nation.’ It was noth­ing but the truth.

…Onoja, 0803-540-9207

Without fear or favour

You have said it all, without fear or favour. That is why God Almighty will continue to bless you and your family in Jesus name. Amen.

…Johneb, 0803-326-1872

A masterpiece

Eric, congrats for your masterpiece of November 17, 2014. Badeh should either resign or be sacked while government ac­counts for the billions earmarked for the pur­chase of arms.

…Ihiagwa, 0807-740-5400

Wanted: Good leaders

Your point is noted. Politicians have busied themselves on re-election, to con­tinue milking our country dry, without minding what other Nigerians are going through in the North-east since they are not directly affected by the insurgency. On the part of the service chiefs, remember that people are alleging that they don’t want the insurgency to end because of the financial benefits, which maks them billionaires in a year or two. Soon after their retirement, they will start aspiring to become gover­nors of their respective states despite the huge cost of becoming occupants of such offices. May God give us good leaders, not looters or lame duck leaders.

…Aliyu, Zaria, 0805-220-0033

Soldiers need enhanced welfare

Thank you for your write-up on ‘Badeh, Boko Haram and our nation.’ The military men that fought against Charles Taylor are in their various villages, some of us alive have been begging the president to pay us salary and allowances. Many of the sol­diers, fighting Boko Haram know this and are wiser. Die, you die for yourself.

…RPO Ani Dickson (Navy rtd.), 0807-371-5504

2015 is all that matters to them

Your piece on the political state of the country made an interesting reading. What Nigerians need now is not 2015 but free­dom for Boko Haram-occupied territory.

…Anusa P.O., Ikot Ekpene, 0815- 269-9651

Well-articulated

I sincerely commend you for your well-articulated write-up on ‘Badeh, Boko Ha­ram and our nation.’ This is Nigeria where nothing works, except corruption, insecu­rity, nepotism and what have you.

…Chief Oliver. I. Esonwanne, Mai­duguri, 0803-536-3773

Who will tell the president?

Oga Eric, how do we get President Jona­than to read this masterpiece, a timely ad­vice to the government? But, is President Jonathan really committed to stopping the insurgency? …0809-589-1148

An angry write-up

Eric, you wrote as an angry man and justifiably so! You almost said it all but not quite. On whose table does the buck stop? Answer: The man whose prime motive is to retain power in 2015. He doesn’t ‘give a damn’ even if it is pyrrhic victory. A man who is ok being Mr. President without be­ing the C-in-C? Why name all the Gener­als, and respectfully leave out their Oga? He is my president and I respect him. But the buck stops at his table. Are Nigerians under a spell? Is 2015 more important than life? ‘Transformation’ is for the living not the maimed or dead.

…Hon J.C Ojukwu, Enugu, 0803- 406-8477

Unpatriotic piece

Hello, Mr Eric, I am a dedicated reader of your column. But, yours today of Monday 17-11-14, is most unpatriotic, coming from a person as erudite as you. Going through the said write-up, it looks a mere criti­cal, innocent submission, but digging deeper, and judging from the vantage point you are writing, you don’t have direct knowledge of what is happening in the North-eastern part of the coun­try. Please, stop pushing for who to be sacked and by whom. I am sure the military know when they goofed and they also know how to handle situa­tions and activities.

…0802-308-7731

The way it is

Dear Osagie, I would like to first and foremost thank you exceedingly for saying it the way it is. More so, for the deep patriotism, empathy and sympa­thy you’ve always shown and voiced out towards the plight of ordinary help­less, hapless and voiceless Nigerians, who are daily “hoping against hope” as you’ve observed in your revered col­umn, the Flipside.

Voice of reason

This is a piece in my view, every dis­cerning patriotic Nigerian both home and abroad should read and internalise between the lines for its educationally juicy and politically inspiration, most especially our political leadership. If only they could listen to the voice of reason. Your previous article 2015: Neither Christian nor Muslim, it was really a clarion call, equally enlighten­ing and thought- provoking. I reserve tremendous respect for you, as a pro­fessional journalist and a writer, to­gether with your columnist- colleagues at The Sun, namely: Femi Adesina, Mike Awoyinfa, the late Dimgba Igwe, Amanze Obi, Duro Onabule, Okey Ndibe, Funke Egbemode and Steve Nwosu. To say the least, you all are an inspiration to us readers.

Inspirational

I consider myself a family and am­bassador of THE SUN. For I’ve been reading you from inception. My days are never complete without reading your columns from Mondays to Sun­days. Through the inspirations I gar­nered from you and others, I now have two published articles by The Sun: 1. An Opportunity squandered. 2. Ribadu and Politcs of Principle in Nigeria. Tru­ly, The Sun is a Voice of the Voiceless and a prolific platform. May the Most High continue to protect and increase you in knowledge, my dear, brother.

Kind regards,

Ibrahim Bala, 0703-163-2310.

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