I read with utmost grief and bewilderment the killing of three fellow corps members in Jos during the recent political violence in the state.
I am writing this piece to tell those concerned that we are sick and tired of the situation, we are fed up with the way things are going ,we are aggrieved because our fellow countrymen seems to have lost their values : the true value of existence and that of being our brother’ s keepers
I must have seen or come in contact with the poor Adetola, a graduate of Geology from Olabisi Onabanjo University without knowing while he was an undergraduate in O.O.U. I can imagine how much money went down the drain, how much human effort, faith, perseverance and or endurance he had, just to graduate from the almighty O.O.U.
I can feel the pain of his dad who must have spent a fortune raising him, I can imagine those days he would come home requesting for money for one thing or the other. I can imagine those days in school when he had to write Tests without the lecturers informing him and his colleague, I can imagine those period he had to write unscheduled examinations, I can imagine those times he had to search for missing results, I can imagine those months of waiting endlessly for his name to be forwarded to the N.Y.S.C for the scheme.
How can one quantify the Joy, the hope and optimism of his father when he finally made the list of those that would eventually serve the fatherland? Can you also imagine the pains, turmoil and anger that enveloped the homes of the other two corps members who were slain by the uncultured, untrained, uncivilized Almajaris all in the name of 'HOLY WAR’?
In view of the plight of other corps members who are not finding it so easy at their various places of primary assignments, one wonders if serving the fatherland actually worth it .Do you think serving one’s fatherland is worthwhile seeing the attitude of the Governor of Plateau state who had the intention of swearing -in the local government council chairmen despite the killings? Can he have the strength to do so or even address the aggrieved if those killed were his sons and daughters?How can one explain the disposition of the Police who were called immediately the incidence happened, report had it that the three corps members would have survived the attack if only they had the needed help?
One wonders if serving the fatherland actually worth it when you think about the meager N9,500 monthly allowance given to corpers that is not even enough for transportation talk less of feeding.Do you really think serving one's fatherland is worth the stress thinking about the long hours of queuing during registration or the not so conducive environment we were made to live in at the orientation camp? Is it the exploitation of corpers by companies or those days of offering compulsory community service without the necessary resources that is worthwhile?
I am aggrieved, I am disturbed, hurt and really worried. I believe I am speaking the minds of my fellow corps members. Things can't continue this way, this is not the first time Youths corpers will be at the receiving end. The fear of things like this made some of us preferred serving in Lagos. If only the poor Adetola had the power to influence his posting, his life wouldn’t have been cut short at the most promising time of his life.
Why would anyone in his right senses chanting ALLAH AKBAR(meaning God is great) kill innocent and hapless fellow human being? What values are our Muslim brothers imbibing in themselves? If what happened in Jos is what Islam stand for, then I thank God for making me see the world from a different perspective, I can’t thank Him enough for making me choose a faith that preach peace, brotherliness and oneness.
N.Y.S.C would be better off if restructured, Youth service should be optional, it should not be made compulsory for graduates. The right thing the Federal Government should have done is to allow graduates go back to their hometown for their youths service, the method of dispatching graduates to an unknown town should be stopped in view of the insecurity and instability in the land.
Like I said earlier our Muslim brothers should educate themselves, it is barbaric and sinful to kill. Everybody has the right to life, the liberty to exist and associate freely without fear or trepidation.They should read and interpret their Quran very well. They should embrace dialogue, the spirit of brotherliness and that of loving one another. If God didn't show his love, they wouldn’t be celebrating eid el-Kabir .Generations would have been wiped away but for God's love.
I share in the pain of Pa Odusole who lost a son, a son that would have made the difference, I share in the pain of the aggrieved, those who lost someone in the Violence .May the almighty God give them the fortitude to bear the loss.
Corps members are mourning .Innocent bloods have been shed in the country and this particular one is uncalled for . God help us, God help Nigeria (Amen).
Oyewale Oyepeju waleoyepeju@yahoo.com.
