Immigration Stampede: Why Minister Should Not Be Crucified Idoko Mosco — March 24, 2014 Since the tragic event of March 15th, 2014 that led to the death of some job seekers at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) recruitment exercise, outrage is still raging against the death. As John Donne, a 17th Century English poet once asserted “any man’s death diminishes me because I am involved in Mankind”. My heart goes out to the innocent applicants who lost their lives in their desire to serve their fatherland. I also commiserate with their families and pray God to grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. Let me state for the purpose of historical accuracy that comrade Patrick Abba Moro the minister for Interior was not nurtured in a sadistic tradition; therefore, he could not have deliberately caused the unfortunate incident. Even with the best methods, managing more than 500, 000 people would be tasking. The big picture is the high level of unemployment in the country. Why should anyone be surprised that hundreds of thousands of youths gathered in stadia all over the country just to apply for 4, 500 jobs that are available in immigration? Is it not because there are no jobs for them to do? Why should we call for the head of the comrade minister just because he conducted a transparent exercise for the teaming unemployed Nigerian Youths? Is it not a case of too many people chasing limited opportunities? Should we blame the minister for the pregnant women that took part in the exercise? Why would pregnant women sign up for such drills? It is evidently clear that the minister in his wisdom did not invite the pregnant women to participate in the drills. In the past, applicants died from the drills, and as population increases, they die from stampedes. The politicization of a national tragedy by the opposition parties and some acclaimed activists should be discouraged and condemned in its entirety. On the day of NIS tragedy, about 200 innocent persons killed in villages in Kaduna were given mass burial. The so called activists calling for the minister’s sack were muted over the killings in Kaduna. Isn’t that the peak of hypocrisy? Was it because they were villagers and no specific ministry was responsible for their deaths? Who would be punished for the lapses in security that had resulted to the killing of villagers in Benue and Nasarawa states? Who do we blame for the incessant attacks on villages by suspected Fulani herdsmen in plateau state? Who would be punished for the death of some persons in a stampede as they scramble for Saraki’s Sallah gifts in Kwara State? Who would be punished for the stampede at an over crowded Church in Anambra State that led to the death of 17 persons? National tragedies should not be used as an avenue to apportion blames or settle political scores, but to deeply reflect and jointly work for the peace and progress of the country. Every step taken by the minister was out of a patriotic desire to ensure that every Nigerian has an opportunity of being enlisted. We must, therefore, not crucify Moro, but encourage and support him at a time like this. Nigerians should not jettison the good work of the minister since his assumption of duty to pilot the affairs of the Ministry of Interior. We must appreciate the concern of Moro in the fight against acts of violence and anti- social activities perpetrated by persons who enter Nigeria mainly to disturb the peace and programme of the President Jonathan’s transformation agenda. He has displayed unprecedented audacity, effrontery and temerity in the fight against illegal aliens in the country. The ministry is currently working on deploying modern technology to effectively secure the 1,497 illegal routes in the country. This includes Electronic passenger registration system, Finger printing at borders and mobile border patrol units. The fire safety code has been developed to regulate minimal standard for the establishment of reduction in fire incidents in the country, and an enforcement of fire safety regulations have been put in place to inspect major buildings and facilities for compliance and risk assessment. He is also working tirelessly to decongest our prisons. Moro in collaboration with the office of the Attorney General and office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria has made efforts to ensure that our prisons are decongested. He has embarked on the construction of modern prisons and renovation of existing ones across the country in all the geo- political zones. It is on record that serving prisoners could now go to university, write WAEC/NECO and NABTEB, farm and accumulate salaries to be paid after serving their terms. Should a man with such development philosophy, zeal and determination to launch Nigeria into the league of the world’s fore most nations be crucified for the unfortunate incident that was obviously not deliberate? He must be encouraged and supported in his war to flush out criminally-minded aliens in order to put a halt to the security challenges facing the nation. Abba Moro is a comrade, a man of affairs and a selfless leader. I feel the utmost confidence in his upright and inspiring character and outlook. Idoko Mosco An Abuja-based Public Affairs Analyst Leadership Newspaper 24th March, 2014
Posted on: Mon, 24 Mar 2014 13:17:28 +0000
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