By ADAMU S. LADAN
Vicious methods have been devised by these
enemies of Northern unity to set it on fire. Chief among these is the media.
A section of the media located in Lagos and Ibadan have mischievously
assumed the role of championing the cause of so called minorities in the
North. We should also not forget how This Day set the North ablaze two years
ago, through such insensitive but carefully planned reports. Even the Sun
newspaper is caught in the same web. If not how could the paper, explain the
mischievous headline. "Wicked Muhammad! wages war against Christiars in
sports" which appeared in the Daily Sun of November 30th 2004. The manner in
which the headline was coined and laid out was capable of generating tension
or even in flamming violence, as some zealots may read it to mean the
Prophet Muhammad (SAW). I am sure the editors are not unaware of the rule
governing headlines capable of giving more than one meaning.
To pursue their agenda, these media
deliberately distort, exaggerate or misinterpret events coming from the
region which often lead to incitements.
The Shari'a issue was for instance seen a ready
weapon to be exploited by these media to run down the North. Since the
re-introduction of Shari'a in some states of the North, the media have not
relented in instigating a section of the North against their Muslims
compatriots.
It is common for the media in collaboration
with the South-west elite to feed their readers with sentimental and
provocative reports and analysis that could fuel the ember of discord among
Northerners.
'The uneasy co-existence of Christian and
Muslim communities", alleged an article posted on the internet titled,
'Religious conflict feared' "has been strained further by violent attacks
and day to day persecution of the Christian communities in the North.�
Similar orchestrated propaganda is also going
on in the churches where our unsuspecting Christian brothers are fed with
false information about the Muslims. In the churches the innocent followers
are told tall tales about Muslims being blood thirsty murderers.
I came across a junk newspaper which a
Christian brother lends me to read having obtained a copy from his church.
The newspaper which bears the name of END- TIME carried no date and was
published by one Hosanna Media Inco. Ikeja, Lagos. Browsing through the
eight page publication one could clearly discern the propaganda tone of its
stories. "ISLAMIC JIHADIST CONFESSES: How later Abiola used us to sink ship
with Bibles". Read the -lead story. In this story one Christian convert
whose name was not given claimed in his confession how as a "Jihadist" he
spearheaded the killing of Christians destroying their properties or
disrupting evangelisms.
The purported Jihadist who according to the
paper claimed to have rrisen to the high ranks of various Islamic
organizations like the JNI, JIBWIS and MSS alleged that Muslims in the North
were getting support of foreign governments to eliminate Christians among
them.
In another story titled "I was paid to kill Dr.
Olukoye, Pastor Adeboye, Oyedepo, Kumuyi", the paper which bears an E-mail
hosanamedia 2003@ yahoo. Com alleged that Muslim leaders have sent a
Jihadist to kill targeted Christian leaders.
The suspect this time was said to be one Alhaji
Muhammad Salisu, whose mission according to the publication was to eliminate
one Rev. David Maccido, who is allegedly the son of Sultan. Others in the
"executioner's list were Evangelist Samuel Ado Bayero, the son of Ado
Bayero, Emir of Kano who renounced Islam for Christianity on 5th December,
2000, along with his brother and three grandchildren of the Emir"
The paper also told its readers that the man
was alleged to have been responsible for the death of the senior pastor of
the Assemblies of God's Church late last year.
However, hidden motive of the story came out
when the report editorialized thus: "Let me seize this opportunity to warn
every Christian lady/sisters never to marry or befriend a Muslim. They are
very dangerous, though they pretend to be innocent".
The story teller has further warning that "all
Christian leaders should never allow any Muslim convert to be a food or
water vendor.., because the Muslim leaders in the Arab nations are financing
some Nigerian Muslims to actualize their dream of Islamism".
However, the degree which this kind of
propaganda stuff could sow the seed of discord among Christian faithful
against their Muslim brothers could only be imagined.
It is only appropriate if security agents are
on the alert to check the origins of such dangerous publications. Eventhough
it could be argued that its circulation was limited to the church but its
implication on the psyche of the unsuspecting reader could have serious
repercussions on the corporate existence of Nigeria.
Further evidence could also be adduced that
some fifth columnists are bent on destroying the harmonious relationship
existing in the North, citing example, from some of the crises that rocked
the region. The September 7, 2001, Jos Muslim/Christian crisis for instance,
was reported to have been precipitated by a young Christian lady who crossed
through a congregation of Muslim worshippers.
The lady was said to have proven stubborn when
asked to wait for the congregation to finish. The disagreement that ensued
between her and the worshippers was what degenerated into five-day violent
conflict leaving many dead and several properties destroyed.
This kind of provocation was also what leads to
the crisis in the hitherto quite Town of Jega, Kebbi state. The imbroglio
between faithfuls of the two religions was reportedly ignited by a Christian
who spied at a meeting being held by Muslims.
From these one could clearly see that an
atmosphere of fear and distrust has already been enacted in the North.
However, as the Northern leadership battles to
restore normalcy in the region, it is instructive to advise that for it to
win the confidence of people, it must be back on track. Back on track
because of the belief in most quarters that the leadership has gone off the
course of its predecessors. The humility, selflessness and just leadership
provided by the first generation leaders which led to one United North have
been jettisoned by the present crop of leaders. Instead, what govern them
now is personal aggrandizement and selfishness.
Malam Yahaya Gusau, one of the few living
statement in the North put the peg in the right hole when he warned at the
Kaduna peace forum that "we cannot proceed as if people have no
responsibility for anything. We must be aware that we have a duty to
extricate ourselves, our families and our communities from the yoke of
ignorance and poverty."
It is therefore high time for the leadership in
the North had a rethink and provide effective and efficient leadership that
will shame its detractors. The Hausa saying Sai bango ya tsage is a lesson
for all time. Indeed a stitch in time saves nine.
Ladan is Deputy Editor, Daily Triumph
