On Youcef Nadarkhani

I was first drawn to this name when several of my friends on Facebook posted a prayer request for this Iranian Christian who had been sentenced to death... and predictably, these requests were from other Christians

AGAIN, the resounding silence of Muslims deafens me!

There are many variations of the story, but the irrefutable and consistent truth is that his faith (or lack of it, depending on your orientation) has a role to play. A man has been judged guilty based on his beliefs, and he has been sentenced to die; either for apostasy  or for defying the authority of the Islamic government by protesting compulsion of Islamic courses for pupils.

I know that an overwhelming majority of Muslims would not support this, so I wonder why they are yet to speak up. It has become a recurring theme, this muted reaction whenever a scandal like this rears its head. Muslims dread to speak against each other and end up appearing complicit.

There is no documentation of any situation where the Prophet of Islam did not exercise restraint when in a position of power, this tyranny by (mostly Arab) zealots has eroded the virtues of Islam, the faith of over 1.3 billion people all over the world.

In too many corners of the world, leaders (and despots) have come to confuse their faith for their convictions  and they further their own ambitions at the expense of the fate of others...

There is no basis in law, Sharia, Fiqh or Sunnah for the execution of this man, apostasy is not a crime against man, it is not for man to declare judgement on His behalf.

The perpetrators of this dastardly act betray me, and all Muslims, and they wrong every human on the surface of the earth by their actions.

I, Kamaldeen Oyebola Agoro denounce in very clear terms their (purported) actions. I find their position incompatible with the tenets of Islam, and I seek to expose them for the filth that they represent, a stain on mankind, a disgrace to humanity, a disservice to The Almighty.

This is one tiny voice, but at least it will count as one.

The Personhood Amendment

In the State of Mississippi, residents are getting ready to vote on the so-called 'Personhood Amendment' to their state laws, which would in effect, expand the definition of 'person' and 'persons' to include all human forms from conception to the point of death.

The aim of this legislation is not to recognize that life begins at conception (which is a religious and scientific fact), rather it is to expand the eligibility of all privileges under the Civil Rights Act and other laws to zygotes, embros and fetuses as well.

This is the latest move by the Pro Lifers...

Now for the requisite disclosures - I am not against abortion, I am not Pro-Choice, I am simply an existentialist.

I believe some decisions cannot be made until we come to them; just as I know that no one, not even Israelis would have ever voted in favor of a ratio of one Israeli to a thousand Palestinians had this been up for ballot six months ago.

There are situations to which we cannot predict our responses...

However, I do not seek to debate the merits or demerits of this issue, I merely wish to outline some of the consequences of such an amendment.

If zygotes, embryos and fetuses become entitled to all civil rights, then by implication;

1. All cases of pregnancy loss would become coroner cases

2. Mothers could be held liable (by the State) for some cases of pregnancy loss [spontaneous abortion due to strenous activity] for instance

3. As assisted fertility clinics woul be unable to dispose of the 'unneeded' embryos from each cycle, they would be forced to fertilize fewer eggs, the yield would thus become poorer and the process more tedious, time consuming and expensive

4. Stem cell researchers would become a sub-species of child molesters

5. Women would be eligible during pregnancy, for child support, as well as tax exemptions and college grants

6. Every legal age restriction would be shortened by 9 months

7. Unborn babies would be entitled to Social Security Numbers, State IDs and travel passports

8. Speaking of travel, the unborn would also be entitled to baggage allowances on flights

9. All hitherto 'legal' medical abortions would require a court order or would otherwise be extra-judicial killings

9b. All cause mortality in the US would swell by 10million annually (the contribution of voluntary abortion)

10. Women would become subjugated to the status of a secondary party for the sake of the unborn

11. Jogging, cycling, dancing, even driving could become 'acts (potentially) detrimental to the well-being of another'

12. Citizenship and Nationality may become more related to place of conception rather than place of birth

13. AND it would become more complicated to have consensual sexual relations with a pregnant woman, as there is another person whose presence (and involvement) must be considered

Please feel to express your opinion(s) on this issue... 

#DeadSerious and sincerely yours,

Oyebola Agoro

One good death... deserves another?

I have refused to watch the video clip of the Aalu mob action; because I have witnessed similar scenes in the past and need no refreshers...

I have also refused to view pictures of the devastation wrought by Boko Haram in various locations in northern Nigeria, and I understand better why videos of 9/11 are so distressing for Americans.

I have long pointed out that the bane of the Nigerian society is the absence of the rule of law, compounded by the lack of social justice...

Confronted by the ugliness that the mob of Aalu has demonstrated, some have pointed out the horrors they have endured for long - their women raped, their homes looted and their men killed in muggings for phones and sundry devices by criminals of similar profile as the butchered men.

In response to why students have delayed in turning out for protests, we are reminded of the reign of terror 'campus cults' inflict on these same students.

On the streets of Lagos, a cantankerous 'okada rider' can decide to ruin the day for any car owner; I am yet to see other drivers stop to offer support.

Take any community in Nigeria, from Victoria Garden City in Lekki to the Garden City of Port Harcourt; when a home is invaded, neighbours would merely shut their own doors and bar their windows onward.

Where does it lead us? Sadly, nowhere. There is no thirst for change.

I see my 'friends' on Facebook demand that justice be done... but really does anyone truly believe that the members of that community would break a sweat to bring the participants of that mob to book?

To the numerous few that questioned the 'innocence' of fellow Northerners who failed to turn in their Boko Haram neighbours; can any of you please explain to me why 'innocent' and 'God-fearing' lookers-on failed to intervene in that outrage?

There is a vindictive streak in us all, that seeks retribution for every wrong, real or imagined that we may have suffered in our past. Many in that crowd could recall some ordeal, experienced or narrated at the hands of robbers, rapists or cultists; so drawing some blood was not an unwelcome idea. It did not matter that those guys were probably not the ones involved in their personal ordeals, it was just enough to imagine it was them.

Similarly, I have interviewed literate, educated, lower middle class residents of Boko Haram inundated areas who said "well, let the others also see that living in this country has become a great burden on some of us". This was his reaction to the menace of terrorism in our nation.

It is easy to determine who and what is right or wrong, especially if you are removed from the experience and episodes. It is infinitely more difficult to state with all certainty however who should be punished or who should be let off.

It is ultimately sad that we have arrived at this sorry pass. And sorrier that there is little hope for redemption. Nigerians have failed Nigeria. I have witnessed lynch mobs in the past; I never stopped any. I have seen okadas terrorize one too many drivers; but never stopped to help. I knew several cultists back in the day; I never turned in any. I have heard conversations about date-related gang rapes; I never reported the culprits.

For these and many other atrocities I have committed, I refuse to watch that video; because I fear that the faces I would see on that mob would be mine...

And for these same reasons, I condemn the mob action, only after acknowledging my contributions, and recognize that when I was in that position, I really did not act much differently.

This is my challenge to all my friends, on Facebook and in life; please examine your own selves and come to terms with the reality you discover... maybe then we may come to realize why the rule of law and social justice is indispensable for any society. We need it to keep our venal desires in check; for if the truth be told, I am as good as the worst of that mob if only as bad as the best. 

And so are you, my friend...

A Pastor, a President and a People... Which way Nigeria? (Part II)

I wish to revisit three widely discussed stories that broke out recently, and I intend to draw a recurring theme that connects all three...

#1 The YouTube link spread faster outside Nigeria, mostly because few had the broadband width to stream video, but the gist eventually caught on... Bishod David Oyedepo was filmed hitting a young female member of his congregation, who had been brought before him for deliverance.

#2  In the aftermath of the Christmas Day Bombings (by the group better known as Boko Haram), President Jonathan made a statement to the effect that 'this too shall pass'.

#3  In response to the announcement by the Petroleum Products Price Regulating Agency (PPPRA) that the subsidy on imported petroleum products had ceased, fuel stations promptly hiked their prices and consumers commenced panic buying.

In the case of the Pastor, so many things were wrong, spiritually, biblically, socially, morally and legally. However, three things struck me 1) It was hard to find any comment or commentary (by Nigerians) that empathized with the girl in the video; how demeaning and traumatic it must have been to be forced out before a crowd numbering in the thousands, labelled a witch. 2) It was personally humiliating to view the second video showing the same Pastor recounting the episode and claiming that the 'witch' came back to apologize to him 3) It was appalling to see too many of my compatriots struggle to explain the man's actions, or exculpate him, or declare him to be answerable only to God (and thus above the laws of the land)

The #2 story merely illustrates that the government of this country is besides itself on the issue of leadership. It is a glaring revelation of the opinion, value and regard with which the presidency holds the citizenry.

The #3 story is the most significant of all. It portrays in real terms the Nigerian response to adversity, despoliation and economic enslavement. When I ran the possible outcomes of the fuel subsidy issue using Game Theory modelling, the first potential flash-point was the response of the immediate actors to the policy change. These actors include the product marketers, the transporters and the fuel station managers. Any of these groups (or all in unison) could have refused to play ball (after-all, they were well served by the status quo), but alas, the temptation of the short-term gains was too alluring.
Had fuel stations declined to discharge fuel at that landing cost, the ground swell of support would have been spontaneous and civil disobedience would have followed naturally and peacefully. Rather, what we have is the 'business as usual' 'dog-eat-dog' rat race. Outlet owners making a killing, black marketeers swinging into action and mass transit operators cashing in at the peak travel period for returning holiday travelers.

This leaves me convinced that had Mohamed Bouazizi been a Nigerian and pulled his stunt on the streets of a Nigerian city, the news would have been that his push-cart laden with vegetables was looted... by citizen by-standers.
Once again, I have glossed over several significant events in recent history; the Inaugural bomb blasts, Indepence Day non-celebration, Sallah Day Bombings, NDLEA (The State) Vs. Baba Suwe, Lekki Toll Protests, Supreme Court Ruling and the Christmas Day Bombings, again this is because these events were highly predictable to me and I was not caught unaware. Moreover, they are merely incremental incidents in an evolving drama.

If anything has changed since I typed the first part of these series, it is the emergence of a sinister subversive plot to rape this country. This was heralded by the emergence of GEJ as president, although his 'victory' merely presented a chance for the directors of this moving theater. For the umpteenth time, I will say again that the statement that by 2015, Nigeria will be a failed state was not just an Intelligence Analysis Report, it is a Plan in Action. There are a lot of parties; individual, corporate and state that will benefit enormously from civil strife and turmoil in Nigeria, and we the People have presented them with a golden opportunity and ample motivation to take advantage of it.

Several friends who have engaged in discussions with me have urged me to speak up, believing that something can be done in the nick of time. We have a Messiah Complex as Nigerians. Recall Bishop Oyedepo, revisit the 'Ordained President'. Yet we do not trust God enough to provide for everybody's need, thus the dog-eat-dog conundrum. The plot against the Nigerian society is masterfully crafted and powered by greed. We do not have a chance to stop it. It shall run its course. What can be done is to deflect the impact, mitigate the effect on the hapless citizen and this is what I strive to achieve. It is very instructive that just six days ago I was cautioning (highly sentimental) Christians against posturings of inter-religious conflicts! Now with the fuel subsidy removal, we have all been dealt a common blow and Nigerians (for now at least) see themselves as they truly are - hapless pawns!
Yet, does it mean that the Boko Haram threat is over? No.
Did the Niger Delta militancy end?
Do we know the date UMY died?
Did Turai really deny the VP access to the C-in-C?
Did GEJ truly win a landslide victory?
Is BH truly affiliated with Al-Qaeda?
What does Al-Qaeda want with Nigeria?
Shouldn't Saudi Arabia be the prime target for the Islamic Republic?
What is the real landing cost of PMS?

How did we go from this Boko Haram?

To this Boko Haram?

These are some of the questions that stare us in the face but we refuse to answer. Questions whose answers will serve to define us as a people and provide us with a common identity, unified purpose and aligned goal. 

Here a couple more...

"Do you know who you are talking to?"
 What do you see; a 'Big man' or an abused girl?

Face of a bully. Do you agree (not)?

Did you vote for Goodluck, but not PDP?

Strange bedfellows? Did they truly forget their differences?
And (did they truly) sacrifice their reputations for the sake of our nation?





 Until, we square up and answer these questions collectively, Nigerian shall be easy prey for exploitation, and she is ripe for the picking...

The succeeding paragraph was written 8 months ago, (and is) still valid and true till tomorrow! [The single thread that connects the UMY saga to the current outbreak of violence is not the involvement of the ethnic North, but our penchant for disregard of the law and due process. Demonstrated first in high office and manifested later in the streets.]

This penchant disregard of the law and due process has denied us a system for social justice. The absence of social justice has laid bare our social fabric. There are no safety nets; the President, fearful of domestic terrorists now cowers under a rock, tired of an oil cabal, has dumped the full burden on the People. The People, fearful for their little lives, call on God for protection. Greedy for their lot in life, readily trample on others for little gain. The petrol marketer has raised pump prices so that the bus conductor can charge more and the meat seller double while the shoe shiner increases his prices.
So we buy less fuel and 'lap' more, eat less meat and walk farther. When will the madness stop?