Dele Giwa:  Twenty-Five Years After

Thanks for the collectors’ item on your former chief executive officer, the indefatigable Dele Giwa. It is an unassailable truth that each time you celebrate the anniversary of the death of Nigeria’s foremost journalist murdered via a parcel bomb, the killers, although yet to be apprehended, are undoubtedly traumatised, seeing how their heinous act added to the man’s already towering reputation. It was completely contrary to their plan and that, no doubt, will haunt them forever.

E.L. Ndekwu,

Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Dele Giwa’s murder is an organised assassination and the government of IBB cannot extricate itself from it. The security agencies interviewed Giwa on  October 17, 1986. The following day, October 18, Akilu made frantic efforts and succeeded in locating Giwa’s home in order to deliver a “parcel.” Then, consider the outburst of Togun with journalists at the airport. As Ray Ekpu said, the killer(s) of Giwa is known, someday he (they)  will be revealed because nothing can remain hidden forever.

Jide Owate,

Ajagba, Ondo,State.

Twenty five years after, Nigerians continue to remember this colossus and what he stood for. His killers may be out there as free men but will ultimately pay the price, someday and it’s not unlikely they will die miserable and unsung.

Alaehie M. Chimezie,

Owerri, Imo State.

It does appear that the perpetrators of the dastardly act envisioned silencing truth and freedom of expression by killing one man, but their evil intention turned out to be a mistake. Dele Giwa’s legacy lives on and the Nigerian press continues to strive today.

Just like the devil never thought that killing Jesus would bring about the greatest event that mankind ever witnessed-the resurrection of Christ and eventual salvation of human race, so did Giwa’s killers never anticipate the reaction and fallout of his death. Even in death, the late journalist remains an issue, a reference point. That is the mark of greatness.

Ndubuisi Onyenandu,

Abakpa-Nike, Enugu State.

ACN’s Victory

One would think that Nigerians have learnt  lessons from the ugly incidents that trailed the last general elections in the country, where many innocent lives and property worth billions of Naira were destroyed, arising from “we no gree syndrome.” It s high time we stopped seeing elections as a “do or die affair” in this country. That is why many people doubt the intention of people seeking elective positions. If someone’s main reason for seeking elective position is  to serve his people, I doubt if he or she  and his (her) followers would protest any election result to the extent of killing other people or destroying  private or public property, because the election was not in his or her favour.

The recent protests in Lagos State, following the release of local government election results, proves that we have learnt nothing from the last general election after violence broke out in some parts of the country. Politicians, whether contestants or followers, should learn to accept defeat. No one political party has the exclusive right to win election in any  part of this country. Therefore, the idea of always resorting to violence whenever a party loses election shows the real motive in aspiring for elective position.

James Effiom,

Calabar, Cross River State.

Living Under Illusion

I read through your column Living Under Illusion Part 2. I am delighted that there are quality minds like you around and rendering service to the country.  I  would like to recommend the article to our lawmakers and government officials so they will  know what this country is going through. Once again, I salute you.

Abiola Adetokunbo,

Jos, Plateau State.

Mike Akpan, Thanks for the write up titled: Living Under Illusion. The likes of Lai Mohammed and Joe Okei Odumakin are seriously living under illusion. It seems to me that their pre-occupation is criticising for sake of criticising. They are ignorant of history.

                                                                                                                Lucky  L.

Port Harcourt , Rivers State.

Our problems are caused by those who are opposed to true federalism, and lack of missionary leaders to do what is right.

                                                Felix Okpe,

Kano, Kano State.

Indirect Slavery in Nigeria

The adage that says, monkey dey work, baboon dey chop, has become a norm or tradition adopted by almost, if not all the companies in Nigeria today. Instead of companies employing people directly, they go through contractors who receive huge sums but pay just a token to the people that are doing the work. This is another way of slavery yet we call ourselves Nigerians. Stop slavery in Nigeria please.

Comfort Emmanuel,

Ikeja,  Lagos State.