Jonathan’s new moves and the looming apocalypse

By Paul Arhewe

Scene of Kaduna terorrist attack

A recent cartoon created by National Mirror’s nimble-fingered chief cartoonist Leke Moses and used in the editorial page of last June 25 edition of the paper is both hilarious and sarcastic. It showed President Goodluck Jonathan in an airborne aircraft with fire extinguisher, destination Brazil to attend the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, and assuring he would have it refilled there, come back with it to attack the smoldering insecurity inferno in the nation. Since the Nigerian leader returned from the trip, he had taken some very hard and significant decisions, top of which is the major shakeup in the nation’s defence and security set up. Both the National Security Adviser, General Andrew Azazi and Defence Minister, Dr. Haliru Bello were relieved of their posts, an action Mr. President said was necessary to bring fresh ideas into the nation’s security strategic enforcement framework (SEF).

New year, new security challenges in Nigeria

PAUL ARHEWE
(Published 03/01/2012)

Christmas Day bombing in Niger state

Those of us who are alive to witness and partake in the celebrations that ushered in the New Year, especially against the backdrop of the enormous security challenges facing our country Nigeria, would definitely be grateful even when the country is still in a lugubrious disposition following the last Christmas Day bombings amid other senseless serial killings and maiming that characterised 2011.

While as a country we may be optimistic that the New Year comes with a miraculous salve that would immune it from the not too pleasant security malaise Nigeria experienced last year, the reality is that the New Year indeed comes with more new challenges for the country; especially in the area of securing the lives and properties of the people. It then behooves President Goodluck Jonathan to take charge and revamp the country's security apparatus by discarding ineffective and wane hands, or allow the situation to crumble his government in the New Year
The country's security network that should be a soothing factor and beacon of hope to the already traumatised and fear engrossed Nigerians, is even seeking for protection from the conscienceless Boko Haram sect. The National Security Adviser (NSA) General Owoye Azazi last week, to the bewilderment of the public, said it is difficult to effectively police a large country like Nigeria. It is absolutely difficult to man every point of the country when there are security problems. Like I have said before, there is need for security awareness.