By Sule Isa Akagwu Kpaleko
It is believed that in the 21st century known as computer age, the activities of the savagery period are left for sociological and anthropological analysis with the purpose of theory formulation and artistic documentation to bridge the gap between the past and the present for future development of societal norms, value and folklore, but unfortunately the activities in my hometown has proved many wrong.
Despite the brutal and archaic nature of the medieval period when survival of Neanderthals and other mammalian were based on the fittest, it is believed in comparison with the current violence and killing activities in Anyigba, the then period is more refined and humane with the spirit of togetherness to what we currently experience.
It is worrisome and unimaginable that the rate of killing and other social vices in my hometown everyday. The love for hate and hate for love reign supreme, shedding of innocent blood has become the pride of my generation. All forms of destructive activities is the only language that is understandable among the people.
Indeed we have lost value for human life and properties hence the mercy of God has departed from us long ago.
Anyigba by providence is the nerve center of socio-cultural, economy and political base of Igala nation, but it has become the shadow of itself. Investors and owners of production activities have gradually sealed off their businesses not because we have no viable market or road network accessibility but for the safety of their lives and property. The extra-judicial killing under the anguish of political affiliations and cultism has been on the increase lately.
Even an institution of high learning, supposedly a source of enlightenment and development, is not exempted from recent activities of delinquency, confraternity and disorientation of the youth and those of tender ages. The university community has been polluted with killings, robbery and raping of female students and innocent people. The establishment of the University is now becoming more harmful to the people in the face of prevalent insecurity despite the positive impact to the community while cases of gunrunning both within and outside the campuses have become hallmark of the Kogi University Anyigbaa students.
MY PRAYERS
INDIVIDUAL LEVEL:
At our individual level we must do away with greed, selfishness and political desperation in our dealings. Whatever is not meant to be can never be, no amount of gunrunning can stop or change the will of God. It is pertinent for us to remember that the victory of evil over good is only but temporary. Anyone that is involved in arming youths with weapons of destruction in order to attain a certain height in life will never escape the sure repercussions. A day is coming when those weapons will be used against such persons. It is awkward that people tend to forget KARMA as a natural theory of relentless force, no matter one’s class or attainment, it will hunt you one day. Let us be prayerful against this disastrous and wicked act of those who decide who get what, when and how in our society. Parents should also try as much as possible to be a good parent to their children else on the day of judgment we shall be accountable for our inhumane attitude to man.
THE TRADITIONAL INSTITUTION:
It is acceptable in our contemporary societal etymology the use of the term ‘aboriginal’, which implies primitive and indigenous settlers of an areas with historical and scientific records. The aboriginal of Anyigba town falls on the following decedent’s of Ameh Ohiegaa :
1)Akwu Akpele
2)Akogwu Akpele
3)Ooche,
4)Itodo Ote,
5)Onoja Agbagwula and
6)Itodo Ogoh
It is the responsibility of all indigenes and most importantly the ruling houses to checkmate the violent activities in Anyigba town and strive towards a lasting solution before it consumes everyone. During the late 80s and early 90s, the community indulged in local vigilante arrangement both on the high way and local streets in which shop owners were made to pay a vigilante levy every month and the activities of the hoodlums where put to an end out-rightly.
It is imperative that the traditional council, the Ogohi/Onu Anyigba, all Gagos and Madaki’s without political influence should evolve a way of bringing back same security tactics as urgent as possible for safety of Anyigba and its community.
THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL:
Anyigba is a nerve center of political and socioeconomic activities of Dekina Local Government Area and Igala nation at large. The town is bordered by Ologba to the North, Agbeji to the South, Egume to the East and Ajiolo to the West. The local government is saddled with the responsibility of securing the life and property of everyone. I want to call on the Chairman to work out modalities along with the various security personnel to arrest the situation immediately for peaceful coexistence and development of the town. Please note, all the modalities should be devoid of political interest.
THE STATE GOVERNMENT:
It is pertinent that the new direction government of Governor Yahaya Bello has been clamouring for the sustainability of security of life and property in the state. Unfortunately such calls have no effective measures on the people of Anyigba community and it environs.
I want to use this avenue to call on the state government to deploy more security apparatus without party inclination to secure the environment, people, properties and the need to bring perpetrators of these dastardly acts to book.
Leadership is a social contract between the rule and the rulers and certain expectation must be meet before such contract can be successful. Most importantly that of security of life of properties is the cardinal objective of such contract. People can no longer sleep with two eyes closed, others can not even come to their houses, several people are already on self-amnesty because of insecurity in this enclave.
We can change this narrative as individuals and group in order to rewrite a positive history for the sake of God Almighty, for the sake of our tomorrow, for the sake of the next generation. Thank you all.
