BIAFRA : Mercenaries for Boko Haram?

 

By Igboeli Arinze

Growing up as a kid, my first understanding of who a mercenary is came from the 1968 movie  ‘The Mercenaries’ (Also called the Dark of the Sun) which starred the likes of Rod Taylor, Jim Brown, Yvette Mimieux  and Peter Carsten, the movie, a screen adaptation of Wilbur Smith’s novel ‘Dark of the Sun’ depicted a group of mercenaries who invaded the Congo to steal 50 million dollars worth of diamonds.

Over the years other movies such as Inglorious bastards, the Wild Geese , Dogs of War and Rambo gave a great depiction of who a mercenary was, the history of wars fought such as the Nigerian Biafran War, the Congo Civil War, The Bush Wars in Rhodesia and The Angolan War saw mercenaries feature heavily. In the case of the Nigerian Biafran War names such as Ron Steiner, Taffy Williams, Pete Goosens and my favorite of all  the Swedish Von Rosen , aka the ‘Devil Pilot’ who fought for Biafra for free were all mercenaries who sought to aid the Republic of Biafra then remain as a fledging republic.

Today, even the word mercenaries to some extent has quite become obsolete, mercenaries are now known as Private Defence Contractors even though the process of engaging them remains the same, so I will pardon Professor Zulum, the Governor of Borno State who perhaps is stuck with such a word.

I will however fault Professor Zulum’s  calls for the deployment of mercenaries to help tackle the rampaging Boko Haram menace in the North Eastern part of Nigeria. The call, to any reasonable Nigerian smacks of the violation of the sovereignty of the Nigerian nation that we have to now place our security in the hands of Private Armies. No doubt, I can understand the passion of Governor Zulum, he is keen to govern in a land without Boko Haram or ISWAP terrorizing his citizens, no governor worth his salt would fold his hands and watch such without proffering a solution or two but methinks that Zulum is on the extreme for such a call.

Has it gotten to point where Nigeria, the supposed Giant of Africa now places her security as well as sovereignty in the hands of foreigners? Is this the same Nigerian Army with legends of what our forefathers did in Burma? Or where an Aguiyi Ironsi singlehandedly disarmed a Katangese  unit in Congo Kinshasha? Is this the Nigerian Army that beat back Chad and even crossed 59 km into Chadian nation to teach those petulant Chadians a lesson or two? What about our exploits in Liberia and Sierra Leone, was it not the same Nigerian Army that restored the peace in these respective areas giving the trio of Charles Taylor, Foday Sankoh and Johnnie Paul Koromah double whammies? I cannot accept such, it is a mockery of our nationhood.

Or what respect will world powers accord us, particularly those who might need us to help ensure a secure world in an era where the forces of globalization have changed the very nature of global security? A strong military will naturally keep or help protect a  nation’s interest. How do we ensure that our interests as the Giant of Africa are protected when it seems that we cannot beat a rag tag army of illiterates and marabouts? Haba!!!!

The calls for mercenaries is even insulting to the Nigerian Armed Forces,the numerous soldiers who have lost their lives in trying to protect the country and those still holding the rampart so that ‘bloody civilians like myself can close my eyes and sleep at night as well as pen pieces for my column. It is disrespectful to the colors of the Nigerian Army as well as its pride and prestige.

Even if it seems that the Nigerian Army appears not to be living up to its duty, an accusation that I much disagree with, the solution cannot be the import of mercenaries. Can we look at other basics such as recruiting more soldiers, training, better equipment, better coordination amongst the component branches of the Armed Forces, better intelligence gathering and the formation of lasting coalitions amongst member states where Boko Haram is a mutual problem and lastly the need to make those in charge accountable for the happenings in this war.

For example, I know that this administration has done its best in arming the military to enable it prosecute much better the war against the insurgents, if this is the case then it is about time , those in the rank and file take responsibility for the successes as well as failures of the military in this war, President Muhammadu Buhari should begin to demand much more from his service chief’s whom also ought to demand more from their officers within the rank and file. When heads are rolled, others in the rank and file would definitely sit up.

The call for mercenaries by Governor Zulum is a bad call, the authorities should kindly ignore him but see to it that our military boys are buoyed to see off these insurgents in a blaze of glory.

Nigeria shall succeed.

BIAFRA : Eastern Security Network Kanu Does Not Have Our Blessing, Backing—Igbo Elders

The elders called on the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo not only to denounce Kanu's action but advise people of the region against falling prey to Kanu's illegal activities.

 Igbo elders have decried the formation of an illegal security outfit code name "South East Security Network" by the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and tasked governors of the South-East region to move against the action immediately. 

Besides, the elders called on the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo not only to denounce Kanu's action but advise people of the region against falling prey to Kanu's illegal activities. 

They, however, called on the southeast governors to lead the way in forming a security outfit that would protect that region, similar to Amotekun formed by authorities of the South West region.

Also, they charged the "southeast governors and businessmen in the region to pull resources together and form a security outfit like Amotekun or civilian JTF backed by law, which can be controlled and be effective." 

The Igbo elders said while they recognised the desire of the people to protect themselves through community policing given the worsening security problems in the country, it must be done within the country's established laws. 

The South East elders, operating under the aegis of Conference of Igbo Elders for Peace and Development, in a statement, said Kanu's action does not have their blessings and asked Nigerians to see his action as personal and not representing the region. 

In the statement signed by Dr Festus Edochie, National President, and Barrister (Mrs) Esther Amadi, National Secretary of the group, respectively, the elders said their attention to the inglorious activities of Mr Kanu was drawn to a trending video of some misguided youths armed with prohibited firearms and dangerous weapons. 

"We observe with utmost shock and concern a disturbing video of a group of some misguided youths codenamed Eastern Security Network, bearing arms and circulating on social media. 

"In the said video, the group which claimed to be operating somewhere in Anambra State carried Ak-47 and other dangerous weapons under the guise of providing security against violent crimes being committed by herdsmen in the region. 

"We condemn this group and its activities in its entirety and call on all southeast governors and well-meaning Ndigbo to come out and condemn this act of criminality being sponsored by a self-appointed leader of a proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu," they said in the statement.

The Igbo elders added," While we recognise perfectly the yearning and desire of every Nigerian today for community policing and self-security due to the insecurity in the country, we insist that it must be done in accordance with the law of the land and by the right people who are legally empowered to do so.

"No group or individual has the legal right to bear prohibited firearms of that nature without the proper backing of the law. Hence we must all rise in the South East to not only condemn but also distance ourselves from this act without delay.

"No doubt, the current security architecture of Nigeria has failed, and Nigerians deserve to protect themselves, but that must be done within the premise of the law. We are Nigerians and cannot form a parallel security arm that bears prohibited firearms for any reason in our region. 

Entertainment : Patty Jenkins Warner Bros. Forced VFX-Heavy ‘Wonder Woman’ Ending That Critics Panned

The original end of the first movie was also smaller but the studio made me change it at the last minute,” Jenkins told IGN. “And so, that’s always been a little bit of a bummer that that’s the one thing people talk about because I agreed and I told the studio we didn’t have time to do it, but it was what it was. I ended up loving it, but that was not the original ending of the movie.

As for “Wonder Woman 1984,” Jenkins got to indulge the studio and embrace her own creative preferences with an ending that has it both ways. As the director explained, “This time around, you know what I loved about it? I love that it has both at the end. We had visual effects, a big battle, which I just dug into and had such a blast executing, which I felt so satisfied with. But ultimately the end of the movie is much more pared down. That was really, really fun. No spoilers, there’s all kinds of stuff going on, but it was really fun to shape it differently.”

“Wonder Woman 1984” opens in theaters December 25, the same day it becomes available to stream on HBO Max for 31 days.

Patty Jenkins’ “Wonder Woman 1984” press tour is becoming defined by her honest revelations about her working relationship with Warner Bros. On the heels of opening up about a salary dispute that erupted between the studio and herself over the “Wonder Woman” sequel, Jenkins now reveals to IGN in a video interview that it was Warner Bros. who forced her to change the ending of the original 2017 film into a bombastic VFX-heavy battle.

While Jenkins did not disclose the original ending of 2017’s “Wonder Woman,” she did say it was far more pared down than what Warner Bros. forced her to include. The studio-mandated ending featured Diana (Gal Gadot) facing off against Ares (David Thewlis) in a VFX bonanza, but this climax was widely panned by film critics. Jenkins said it’s been disappointing to see so many critics and fans get so hung up on the ending when it’s not something she came up with herself.

Entertainment : Sign Wizkid Please – Fan Begs Zlatan After He Announced His 2021 Biggest Ambition

 

Nigerian singer, songwriter, and musician Zlatan Ibile has disclosed one of his biggest ambition to renovate his popular Zanku Record Lable in the upcoming 2021.

In a post sighted on the Twitter page of Zlatan, he announced he will be unveiling a new signee on the 1st of January. He disclosed that his Zanku Records will be undergoing a renovation which will top the list in January.

“Zanku Records will be 1 on 1st January. Watch out for the unveiling of our new signee” he wrote. Some fans took to the comment section and beg him to sign popular artist Wizkid on his record.

Entertainment : You’re A Child Of Satan If You Love Money Without Caring’ – Actress, Eucharia Anunobi

 

Nollywood actress Eucharia Anunobi has advised her fans against fighting for material resources and money at the expense of others.

According to the actress, loving money to the point of clamouring for it without a care whose ox is gored makes you the twin of Judas Isacariot and the offspring of satan

She took to her Instagram page and advised her fans as shared an adorable photo. In her words;

“Loving money to the point of clamouring for it without a care whose ox is gored makes you the twin of Judas Isacariot and the offspring of satan !
Knowing a person is unworthy of a position , or has serious character flaws that they are not making effort to rectify yet because of the money you’re getting from them , you sing their praises : that makes you what ?
You also know that a person deserves to be remunerated better but because of your greed for money, you deny them of their dues : that makes you what ??
Sorry, did you say , YOU’RE A CHILD OF GOD ??? Aaaaah you’re not !!!
Matthew 6 : 24 , Luke 6 : 13 . notashamedofthegospel #trendsetter #itinerantpreacher #model #actor euchaiaanunobiministries Godsowndiva #kingdominfluencer #kingdomgoddess #Jesushandmaid #leadership #lifecoach #counselling #mentoring #apostolicend-timereformer”

ENTERTAINMENT : Nigerian singer Mr Eazi robbed in Ghana

 

Multiple award-winning singer, Mr Eazi, has been robbed in Ghana. The Legover singer took to his Twitter account to inform his 2.3 million followers that he been robbed of his laptop and phone.

Mr Eazi wrote, “Abeg If Anybody see my laptop for Accra make e halla me! I go give am some cool £. Lmao but on a real anybody wey find am I promise I go do u well. If u open my laptop you go see this artwork for the place wey u for enter password. #FindMrEaziLaptop. Be like I go go tiptoe lane go beg the boys for there!! I sure sey dem be go listen me! Me sef I be hustler one time lol.”

He further reached out to his colleagues in Ghana, Sarkodie, Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy, begging them to use their influence in order to get his gadgets back.

Tweeting at Shatta Wale, Mr Eazi wrote, “Emperor dem steal my laptop & phones o u for show your power to ur boy Eazi.”

While pleading with popular Ghanian singer, Sarkodie, he tweeted, “Uncle @sarkodie dem steal my Laptop o! Abeg give executive order.”

Also, as he begged popular Ghanian singer, Stonebwoy, Mr Eazi tweeted, “Governor @stonebwoyb Abeg dem steal my laptop plus phones for Accra!! U go fit give executive order make street find am den return am! I am loyal to your government.”

Entertainment : I Started Driving And Smoking When I Was 12 Years – Femi Kuti

 

Nigerian Afrobeats singer Olufela Olufemi Anikulapo Kuti, popularly known as Femi Kuti has disclosed how he was brought up by his father, legendary Fela Kuti.

In an interview on Channels TV Programme, Femi told Rubbin Minds that his father gave him the free will to drive and smoke cigarettes at age 12. He also disclosed that his father gave him much freedom that age 16, he could go to the club and will be chased by the police in town.

Femi recounted the flashy and exotic cars he drove to school which wowed his fellow students. He said he thought that life was all about living an extravagant lifestyle. Femi has however revealed that he doesn’t allow his kids to behave like he behaved when he was young. He said he trains his kids in a different way.