SHI’ITES human, Nigerian or what?

Very interesting write up. I like the way you expressed your mind on the issue. I want to say a big thank you.

Ibrahim – 08060997061

Ralph, I want to let you know that I read you all the time, and to also commend you for the issues you raise in your column every Sunday. I find your views very instructive and very relevant to national development. But I want differ with your position on the Shi’ite/ Army clash in Kaduna. You heard what President Muhammadu Buhari said that group has been a nuisance. Your colleague, Abdulfatah Oladeinde wrote on the issue same edition where he acknowledged some truth about the Shi’ite behaviour which I expected you to know. Refusing to vacate the highway is their trademark and it is wrong. You should not have blamed the army for what happened. How- ever, you are an influential opinion molder and many of us like reading you. Keep up the good work.

07037461991

Oga Ralph, I just read through article in Sunday Sun entitled, “Shi’ites, humans, Nigerians or what?” Thanks for calling a spade a spade. As an aspiring journalist, I thought I was the only person looking at this issue from this angle until I saw your constructive points. With a foresighted journalist like you in Nigeria, we believe the poor masses one day shall get justice against brutalities and abuses of power by the military and others.

Corper Mohammed Salisu – 07035822492

Warm greetings Mr. Ralph. I read your column on the Sunday Sun regarding the Shi’ites and I join my voice with yours to insist that all those indicted must be punished.

08181932819

Yes, Nigeria will continue to be a puzzle until people like you decide to be principled and consistent with truth, justice and freedom, not selfishly parochial on issues.

08035583218

Hello Sir, your piece in which you wrote about the Zaria massacre was very good. How I wish our journalists would think along these lines. It is high time we all joined hands to fight the legendary immunity and impunity which our armed forces have been enjoying over years. They must be accountable and face the law for any offence they commit. Thank you so much.

Bello Hamza – 08037864353

I write to thank you for your weekly brilliant write-ups on important aspects of life in our country. It gives me pleasure that people like you, Tola Adeniyi and Funke Egbemode, constantly expose for wider consumption aspects of our national life that effectively belittle us as a people.

Related News

I don’t know how old you are, but I know that Tola Adeniyi and I were around when Nigerians were busy making Nigeria great in the field of politics, education and enterprise. Up until 1975 or so, Nigeria was a country Nigerians were proud of; law and order still meant something to most Nigerians. Even the army and police you wrote about in “Shi’ites, human, Nigerians or what?” were largely disciplined and professional then. Even though military rule contributed significantly to our political and societal woes, the worst harm came from the new-breed politicians and their civil service accomplices, who have since instituted a reign of incompetence, mediocrity, double standards, nepotism, tribalism, senseless “religionism” and worst of all, treasury looting, impunity and obscene lack of patriotism.

These people who describe themselves as leaders but who are better described as misleaders are still at work destroying our great country. The terrible results of their “leadership” include corruption and senseless behaviour such as convoys that degrade fellow Nigerians on our roads, road blocks extorting motorists despite bans on road blocks by successive Inspector-Generals of Police, ‘frog jumping’ of otherwise respectful citizens by soldiers, maltreatment of Shi’ites and religious and tribal groups. The prevailing atmosphere for injustice, nepotism and impunity means oppressors of the common man will continue unpunished. Thank you.

Chukwuedo Iwegbu – 07084072544

Ralph the preceding paragraphs of “Shi’ites: humans, Nigerians or what?” in which you condemned your colleagues for harping on negative reports left me wondering why such should not be used as headlines if the stories are true. Apart from not infringing on ethics of the profession, it promotes newspaper sales, which is about proper business management. On Shi’ites and the army’s unreasonable intentional murder of the sect’s members, I share your position on it that there was much more than the eye can see.

President Buhari’s support for the army’s murderous act is rather disturbing. It is unimaginable from a president whose responsibility is to protect the lives of the citizenry. The question is, would Buhari carry out well ordered recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry set up to investigate the matter? Bear in mind his dumping of the report of the National Conference handed over to him by former President Jonathan, and of course his serial constitutional breaches. Your recommendations are right and just only under normal circumstances, but what we have now in Nigeria is “militarized democracy.” God save Nigeria!

Lai Ashadele – 07067677806

Kudos to you for standing up for Shi’ites! You are right in suggesting we imported Sunni vs Shi’ite war into Naija. Wetin concern Agbero for overload? Pity! But would they have stood for you?

– 07081010062

My Comment on this: True love is not about blessing those who have capacity to reward you; it is about doing good to all manner of persons, irrespective of where they come from, their belief or creed. We need this mindset to build a great nation.

I am not sure the “Human Rights” issues you raised are in a hurry to leave Nigeria for the next 5,000 years. It is cancerous and surely leads to death.

Ichie I.C. Uche – 08068909747

I read your piece on Shi’ite killings online the week before I start- ed reading ‘Night’ by Elie Wiesel. Truly, what runs through the two narratives is the mindless killings perpetrated by the Establishment with the satanic silence of the majority.

It raises four profound issues: (1) life is worthless (2) the man-in- uniform is superior to the bloody civilian (3) lack of accountability till now because nobody has taken responsibility (4) if you have no- body you are finished.

– 09093406240